FILE Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque
MANILA, Philippines – “Hayaan ninyo silang bumoto ng kanilang presidential candidate and good luck.”
(Let them vote for their own presidential candidate and good luck.)
This was what presidential spokesperson Harry Roque had to say to a group of health workers who expressed opposition over President Rodrigo Duterte’s election bid in 2022 due to his supposed “failure” in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Hindi ko po alam kung saang planeta nakatira ‘yang mga health workers na ayaw kay Presidente kasi buong daigdig po ang sinasalanta ng ganitong problema,” Roque said.
(I don’t know what planet these health workers who dislike the President live on because the entire world is facing the same problem.)
While he understands how tough it is for medical frontline workers during this pandemic, Roque said he respects critics of the President.
“Mahirap po talaga ang buhay ng medical frontliners ngayon dahil hindi pa po humuhupa ang pandemya at nagpapakita naman po tayo ng pasasalamat at utang na loob sa kanila,” said Roque.
(Medical frontliners’ lives are tough because the pandemic has not subsided, but we show them our gratefulness and debt of gratitude.)
“Pero nirirespeto rin po namin na mayroong kakaunti na talagang wala pong mabuting masabi tungkol sa ating Presidente. Hayaan ninyo silang bumoto ng kanilang presidential candidate and good luck,” he went on.
(Still, we respect the few who don’t have anything good to say about the President. Let them vote for their own presidential candidate and good luck.)
Roque was reacting to the remarks of Medical Action Group chairperson Dr. Nemuel Fajutagana who had questioned the election bid of Duterte and the supposed plan of his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio amid issues hounding the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Palace official said the group is only “small,” saying there are frontliners grateful for the benefits they receive under the Duterte administration.
“Isang grupo lang ‘yan. Pero mayroon din pong mga medical frontliners na nagpapasalamat sa benepisyo na naibigay sa kanila at pagkilala sa kanilang kabayanihan,” Roque said.
(That’s only one group. But there are also medical frontliners who are thankful for the benefits given to them and for the recognition of their heroism.)
The President has said he will run for vice president in the 2022 national polls. Meanwhile, his daughter has yet to give a solid response about her plans for the election.
READ: Duterte vows to ‘continue crusade’ to run for VP in 2022