Roque: Duterte just impatient

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque gestures during a press briefing held at New Executive Bldg in Malacañang, June 28, 2018. INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

President Duterte was only expressing his impatience over the slow pace of the government’s “Build, Build, Build” projects in the provinces when he said “the economy is in the doldrums.”

Malacañang said this was what Presidnt Duterte meant with his gloomy assessment, following Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno’s appeal to take a look at facts and not impressions.

“That’s why it’s a message to everyone to double in their effort to begin and finish the major infrastructure projects,” said presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in a briefing.

He made the remarks when asked to comment on Diokno’s statement that “hard facts” would show the economy was not in the doldrums as President Duterte had said.

“I think that’s the message,” Roque said.