Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque: “I do not react to that. I am a lawyer. Truth is my natural advocacy.” FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday defended his calling out of a journalist for reporting on Filipino fishermen barred by Chinese ships from fishing at the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) complained about Roque’s comments as being “disparaging and condescending” and painting BBC reporter Virma Rivera with “ill motive.”
READ: FOCAP slams Roque over ‘condescending’ response to BBC reporter
Roque would not respond to FOCAP’s protest, invoking that the truth is his “natural advocacy” as a lawyer.
“Wala akong reaksyon, abogado tayo, truth is our natural advocacy. Pinalabas lang natin ang katotohanan,” he said in a Palace briefing.
(I do not react to that. I am a lawyer. Truth is my natural advocacy. I only let the truth out.)
“Bahala na ang taumbayan na manghusga, gano’n talaga ang teoriya ng malayang merkado ng ideya, taumbayan na ang huhusga kung sino talaga ang nagsasabi ng katotohanan,” he added.
(It is up to the public to decide who is telling the truth. That’s what it means under the free-market theory of ideas. Public opinion will decide which side is telling the truth.)
During Wednesday’s briefing, Roque had as guests Masinloc Mayor Arsenia Lim, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo and ship owners, who all denied that Chinese vessels are preventing local fishermen from fishing in Scarborough Shoal.
Roque then told BBC reporter Rivera to call Malacañang so she could clear up the issue with government officials and ship owners.
“Virma, tumawag ka nang matanong mo naman si Mayor, iyong mga may-ari ng lantsa at saka ang PCG kasi tinawag iyong report ninyo ng isang may-ari ng lantsa na tsismis ‘no. In fairness to you, tumawag ka ngayon, I will link you up with them para naman malinawan kung ano iyang report mo,” he said.
(Virma, you should call now so that you could ask the mayor, the ship owners, and the PGC because they called your report hearsay. In fairness to you, you should call now. I will link you up with them so your report could be clarified.)
“If you care to call us, Virma Rivera, please do so. We will link you up with them nang malaman natin kung sino talaga ang nagsasabi ng katotohanan. Okay?” he added.
(If you care to call us, Virma Rivera, please do so. We will link you up with them so that we would know who is really telling the truth. Okay?)
The Palace spokesman then gave out a cellphone number for the reporter to call.