By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
I’m not a doctor, just a keen observer like most of you reading this column. But let me say that I’ve long suspected that Presidential Spokesperson Herminio “Harry” Roque Jr. might be suffering from a bad case of “foot-in-mouth disease”. And I’m not just talking about foolish rambling and tactless slip-of-the-tongue remarks, but dangerously contradicting himself; for as it is wisely said, “action speaks louder than words.”
It’s incredible how he could stand center stage for Palace briefings, talking about the primacy of government health protocols in combating COVID-19 while images of him addressing a thick crowd on the shores of Bantayan Island, Cebu flood the internet.
Hardly am I surprised, though, as his persona exemplifies a history of contradictions – from human rights lawyer to defender of the bloody drug war, parrying all allegations of extrajudicial killings; from calling China an “aggressor” under international law to defending the joint exploration of the West Philippine Sea as a “practical solution” to the territorial dispute. Didn’t he once represent the family of transgender Jennifer Laude in prosecuting US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton; then later said he respects the “wisdom” in pardoning him?
So, lately, he’s been mobbed by netizens for cavorting with dolphins in Subic and singing his heart out at a videoke joint in Baguio. But how could he even hide behind the excuse of “not being in control of the situation” when he chose to hold the mic and keep his audience captive even if they risked their healthy lives about him, some without masks or face shields and in complete abandon of social distancing protocols?
Spox Roque might have missed the World Health Organization (WHO) advice, so we’re spelling it out clearly in this corner. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said leaders worldwide are “expected to be models” in observing the “non-pharmaceutical interventions such as wearing of face mask, observing hand hygiene, and physical distancing of one meter”.
Dr. Michael J. Ryan, chief executive director of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, was more admonishing: “Populations need very clear, credible, regular communication regarding what to do. No matter what it says on the posters and no matter what it says in the guidance, if that behavior is not being modeled by leaders and influencers, populations get confused and the issue becomes politicized.”
Politicized is precisely what it is if Roque’s irresponsible demeanor in public continues without reprimand. Sure, there were reminders issued by Interior Sec. Eduardo Ano and Health Sec. Francisco Duque III that threw shade on his actions in Bantayan. But is that it? I guess that’s a clear and obvious pass – in the same token as Sen. Manny Pacquiao not being blamed for the crowds that gathered for his relief goods distribution in Batangas or Gen. Debold Sinas rising to PNP Chief despite his “mañanita” lockdown party.
We live in dangerous times for sure, if these are the officials we look upon as models as we celebrate the coming holidays. Doomed to a second wave of COVID-19 infections is what we’re bound for at the start of 2021 if such officials are our models.
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