Zarate slams Roque for frequent trips, calls Sinas ‘epitome of impunity’

Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate had choice words for two prominent government officials who recently announced their positive COVID-19 diagnoses, calling one "pasaway" (stubborn) and the other the epitome of "impunity."

In a statement on Monday, Zarate branded Presidential spokesman Harry Roque as the ultimate example of "pasaway" for his activities, such as visiting different places in the country, despite the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Sec. Roque is the ultimate example of 'pasaway' for visiting different places in the country as if daring the COVID virus to infect him," the lawmaker said in a statement on Monday.

"Mula sa pakikisalamuha sa mga lumba-lumba, paglarga na walang mask o face shield at pag-attend ng piyesta, ginawa na po niya 'yan [From socializing with dolphins to going out without a mask or face shield and attending fiestas, he's done them]," Zarate said.

In his press briefing on Monday, Roque announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Zarate said President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman should have isolated himself while waiting his test result. He said Roque put at risk the lives of other individuals by going to his office.

"Yesterday, he was tested for COVID but instead of immediately isolating himself until he got the results, he even went to his office today thereby putting his officemates at risk. How 'pasaway' can you get, especially for a government official lecturing ordinary people to follow health protocols," Zarate said.

'Careless'

Zarate then described Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Debold Sinas, who has also tested positive, as the epitome of impunity.

He mentioned Sinas' controversial birthday party in May 2020 despite strict quarantine protocols in Metro Manila, the time when the police general was still chief of the National Capital Region Police Office.

Sinas is now facing another controversy for allegedly skipping health protocols during his visit in Oriental Mindoro, just before his positive result. The PNP has maintained that their chief had followed the protocols during his visit in the province.

"He may have infected many people in the gatherings he attended. Yet, until now, he has not been sanctioned for his careless actions endangering the lives of many citizens," Zarate said.

Zarate pointed out that the Duterte administration should be blamed for the rising COVID-19 cases, and not the general public.

"And then they blame the public for the rising number of COVID-19 cases when they are the one who have flouted protocol," he continued in Filipino. "Who was it who moved so slowly that they didn't immediately declare a health emergency at the start of the pandemic? Who insisted on militaristic control instead of prioritizing the health and medical aspects of the crisis?"

"Who raised hopes about vaccines but then turned out not to have arranged anything from the start and had to depend on donations? Who did not provide continuous assistance to the suffering public while continuing to borrow billions?" he added in Filipino.

"Ang sagot lahat dito ay ang administrasyong Duterte [The answer to all of this is the Duterte administration]," he added. — BM, GMA News