MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who is set to be discharged from the hospital this Thursday, said it took four days before he was admitted to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).
In his regular briefing, Roque dispelled the insinuation of former health secretary Janette Garin that he could have used the PGH room reserved for the President.
READ: Ex-DOH chief Garin says Roque may have used PGH room reserved for President
“Nasa ordinaryong room po ako,” Roque said when sought to comment on Garin’s statement.
(I am in an ordinary room.)
“Apat na araw po, it took four days before I could actually enter. Noong nagsimula po akong magkaroon ng symptoms, binigyan ko lang po ng timbre ang aking mga doctor dito sa PGH and it was only when my oxygen level went down to 90 that I was asked to come in. So, apat na araw din po sila nabigyan ng timbre na baka ako po ay pumasok,” he added.
(Four days, it took four days before I could actually enter. When I started to have symptoms, I told my doctors here in PGH and it was only when my oxygen level went down to 90 that I was asked to come in. So I had let them know for four days before I was admitted.)
Roque also announced he is about to be discharged from the PGH. It was on April 10 when he disclosed he was admitted for COVID-19 treatment.
“Ako po ay ididischarge na after six days dito sa PGH,” he said.
(I will be discharged after six days here at the PGH.)
Amid criticisms about his hospital admission despite the scarcity of COVID-19 beds, Roque insisted he was not given special treatment by the PGH management.
The Palace official earlier said a question on how he was able to secure a hospital bed for COVID-19 treatment was “unchristian.”