After Roque’s false claim, Villanueva insists need for COVID-19 vaccine infomercial starring Duterte, Robredo

After presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s erroneous claim, Senator Joel Villanueva on Thursday insisted the need for a COVID-19 vaccine infomercial that will star the country’s two top officials.

“Alam po natin na mas madali pang ipagtambal sina (We know that it is easier to pair) Romeo and Juliet, but with vaccine fake news on the rise, we need a pushback, through an infomercial featuring, to use showbiz lingo, ‘ang dalawang higante sa pulitika (the two big names in politics)’,” Villanueva said in a text message to reporters.

“These are the usual kinks in casting the talents of a blockbuster ad. But even in showbiz, this kind of miscommunication is rarely committed by talent managers,” he added.

During the Cabinet briefing Wednesday night, Roque wrongly told President Rodrigo Duterte that Vice President Leni Robredo wanted to do an infomercial with him to encourage Filipinos to get COVID-19 vaccines.

“Ngayong napakita natin na marami nang nagpapabakuna eh bigla namang nag-volunteer, gusto raw n'yang um-appear sa infomercial kasama kayo. Sa loob loob ko matapos tayong siraan nang siraan, ngayong nagiging matagumpay ang vaccination eh makikisama ngayon,” he said.

Duterte did not respond to Roque’s statement.

The infomercial starring the Duterte-Robredo tandem was suggested by Villanueva last week.

Meanwhile, the Office of Vice President has called out Roque for lying about the proposed COVID-19 vaccine infomercial.—AOL, GMA News