Roque apologizes over outburst vs. doctors, admits he got 'emotional'

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday apologized over his outburst against medical doctors during a recent meeting by the government's COVID-19 response task force.

In a press briefing, Roque admitted that he got "emotional" after hearing the proposal of Dr. Maricar Limpin, president of the Philippine College of Physicians, and Dr. Antonio Dans, convenor of the Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19, to impose a two-week hard lockdown.

"Kinukumpirma ko po na tayo'y naging emosyonal at pasensiya naman po kayo at tao lamang [I confirm that I got emotional. I am sorry. I’m just human]," he said.

“That’s the first time that I lost my bearing in an IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) meeting, but as I said I may apologize and I have in fact apologized for the manner but never for the message.”

Roque said the government should do away with hard lockdowns as people need to earn a living. He also said the government is ramping up vaccination efforts so that it can reopen the economy safely.

Roque added that he spoke on behalf of those who suffer from hunger and poverty due to lockdowns.

“Nagalit po talaga ako dahil sa tingin ko panahon na po na marinig ang inyong boses ng IATF. Tama na po ang lockdown, magtatagal po talaga ang COVID hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong daigdig,” he said.

(I got angry because I think it’s time for the IATF to hear the voice of the people. Let’s stop this lockdown. COVID-19 is here for the long haul, not just in the Philippines, but also across the globe).

He said there is a need to find a balance between health and the economy.

In a video post by Philippine Daily Inquirer's Marlon Ramos on Twitter that has since gone viral, Roque was seen scolding doctors during the meeting while asserting that the government is also doing its part in containing the virus.

“Do not sit there as if you are the only ones right. We’re trying to achieve total health. Who wants COVID to kill people? Are you saying that only medical frontliners are concerned about the health of the people? We all want to save lives," a visibly agitated Roque said in the video.

“We’re crying out loud. No one in the government wants a single life lost. No one! How dare you think that we are not considering steps to prevent the loss of lives?” he added.

Roque said IATF meetings are supposed to be “secret.”

Prior to the press briefing, Limpin said she was “very surprised” that Roque reacted angrily to the suggestion.

“Wala akong sinabi (I did not say something that) can be interpreted as being arrogant," she told Super Radyo dzBB.  --KBK, GMA News