Roque says whoever leaked his outburst could be liable ‘for revealing public secrets’

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Monday that whoever leaked the video of him berating health workers could be liable for disclosing "public secrets."

Roque was referring to the video of him snapping at Dr. Maricar Limpin of the Philippine College of Physicians after the latter pleaded to government officials during a COVID-19 response task force meeting to maintain strict quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila amid rising number of COVID-19 cases. The video was obtained and was first reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Roque disagreed with the proposal, noting the impact such restrictions have already done to the economy. He accused Limpin and her group of always criticizing the administrations actions related to the pandemic.

"Sa tingin ko po liable, at liable din po for revealing public secrets [I think there is liability there, for revealing public secrets]," Roque said when asked if the release of the video violated Data Privacy Act.

Roque, however, did not say if he will be pressing charges.

"Pero hahayaan ko na po iyan sa IATF, at iyan naman po ay napag-usapan kanina sa IATF [But I will leave it to the Inter-Agency Task Force and it has been discussed in the IATF]," Roque added.

A number of health workers have called for Roque's resignation or for President Rodrigo Duterte to fire him.

Roque, however, responded by saying that only the President can fire him. — BM, GMA News