Roque tests positive for COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday announced that he tested positive for COVID-19.

“As of 11:29 this morning, nakuha ko po ang resulta na positibo po ako para sa COVID,” Roque said in his regular Palace briefing.

(As of 11:29 this morning, I received my results that I am positive for COVID-19.)

“Wala po akong nararamdaman, I am asymptomatic,” he added.

Roque said he underwent COVID-19 testing on Sunday as part of the protocol before the scheduled meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte this Monday.

“So yung mga nagkaroon po sa aking ng close contact, I ask you po for your indulgence pero kinakailangan po kayong mag quarantine, kung kayo po ay nagkaroon ng close contact sa akin,” Roque said.

(To those whom I had a close contact with, I ask you for your indulgence, but you need to place yourself on quarantine.)

Roque said he was inclined to continue his quarantine in an isolation facility though it would depend on the COVID-19 test results of his wife who has comorbidity.

“So, if she (wife) turns out also to be positive, eh mag-a-isolate na po siguro kaming magkasama. Pero if she is negative today, I intend to go to an isolation facility also because we need to walk the talk na as much possible sa quarantine facility tayo ano,” he said.

(If she turns out to be positive, we will isolate together. But if she is negative, I intend to go to an isolation facility also because we need to walk the talk that as much as possible, we stay in a quarantine facility.)

He said his regular online briefings would continue but everything will be done remotely or via teleconference.

Attending public events

Roque, who had in the past drawn criticism for allegedly violating health and quarantine protocols in a number of occasions, gave assurance that he was negative for COVID-19 before attending his last public event on Friday, March 12, in Ilocos Norte.

Just last month, he also underwent self-isolation after one of his staff got COVID-19.

Roque was also present during the rollout of the China-donated vaccine from Sinovac at the Philippine General Hospital.

Last year, Roque was severely censured in social media for attending an event in Bantayan Island, Cebu and delivering a speech before a crowd which allegedly did not observe physical distancing. He has since assured that following protocols in event is already a “lesson learned.”

He also previously received criticism for visiting Subic Bay despite existing COVID-19 restrictions, but maintained no protocols were violated.

EDV