Duterte asks Roque: Why did you test positive for COVID-19?

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night asked his spokesman Harry Roque why he tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Roque announced he tested positive for the respiratory illness earlier in the day.

Roque said he was asymptomatic and that an antigen test in Malacañang on Monday confirmed he was COVID-19 positive.

“Bakit ka nag-positive?” Duterte asked.

Roque said he did not know, but noted that he had visited several hospitals for the vaccination rollout.

“Ay ewan ko po pero binibilang ko po kung saan ko po posibleng nakuha pero sumama po ako sa rollout ng vaccination sa (Philippine General Hospital), sa Vicente Sotto (Memorial Medical Center), sa Southern Philippines (Medical Center), sa Laoag Medical, at tsaka sa Roque Ablan (Memorial Hospital),” Roque said.

Roque previously said he tested negative for COVID-19 last March 10 before he went with Duterte for the inauguration of infrastructure projects in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental last March 11.

He also clarified that his COVID-19 illness will not keep him from fulfilling his role as Duterte's spokesperson.

“Tuloy-tuloy pa rin po ang mga press briefing. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin po lahat pero para ‘di po tayo mahawa, naka-isolate po ako,” Roque said. — DVM, GMA News