Roque isolation amid COVID-19 infection: I am in San Juan, not in a posh hotel in Pasay

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque denied allegations that he is isolated in a posh hotel in Pasay after testing positive for COVID-19 last March 15, saying he is in a quarantine facility in San Juan city.

“That [I was in a posh hotel] is fake news. I am in San Juan [city], along Annapolis street,” Roque said in a Palace briefing.

“We don’t even have the means to pay for that hotel [in Pasay]. Hindi naman po ako nasa motel. (I am not in a motel). This is a two-star hotel,” he added.

Roque said individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 are allowed to check in a government-accredited hotel designated as a quarantine facility, and that there are other government officials infected with COVID-19 who are quarantined in the same facility.

These include: an anchor of state broadcaster PTV, personnel from Malacañang Accreditation and Relations Office, a Director under Roque's office and another Undersecretary from another department.

Roque also said he will confer with his doctor if he needs to continue staying in the said quarantine facility, considering that he is asymptomatic.

“That [isolating at home] is possible because I noticed that I am asymptomatic and people here have symptoms. I would be conferring with my doctor if I would be better off staying here or going home,” he added.

Roque earlier declined to show his RT-PCR test showing he is COVID-19 positive, saying “I don’t think it is important.” — RSJ, GMA News