Roque: Boracay trip occurred before his COVID-19 exposure

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. has denied doing leisure activities in Boracay island despite having exposure to COVID-19.

Roque made the response after he drew flak following his disclosure that he is in isolation due to COVID-19 exposure—a revelation he made after photos of diving in Boracay over the weekend went viral.

“Hindi ko po kasama sa Visayas ang staff ko na nag positive sa COVID-19,” Roque said during the Palace briefing Tuesday.

“I left Manila last Friday. He (the staff who tested positive for COVID-19), picked me up from the airport on Sunday,” he added.

Roque said his negative COVID-19 result, and the positive COVID-19 result of his staff, came out after they underwent RT-PCR test in Manila upon his arrival from Boracay last Sunday.

Roque stressed that he did not violate COVID-19 quarantine protocols when travelling out of town, regardless if the purpose of the trip is work or relaxation.

Roque said he was on a work trip in Iloilo before proceeding to Boracay.

“Hindi po totoo [na hindi ako compliant]. I am 100% complaint with all the rules,” Roque said.

“Nagkaroon po ako ng meeting sa Iloilo, then I had a side trip. I always have a reason to go out and I take advantage of it. Sa mga kritiko ko, sorry, I am a lawyer, a law professor. I never violate the rules,” Roque added. — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA News