Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (File photo)
MANILA – Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday said he has no plans or authority to file cases against Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia over the latter's non-compliance to the national government’s swabbing policy for returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Garcia earlier issued an executive order, which was adapted into an ordinance by the Cebu Provincial Board, requiring a maximum of three days stay in a hotel, as against the Inter-Agency Task Force Against Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF-EID) resolution that requires a 10-day quarantine in a hotel.
Once tested negative, OFWs and ROFs who are Cebu residents will be allowed to go home and continue their home quarantine, where they will be swabbed on the seventh day.
“Wala pong katotohanan ang mga lumalabas na report na may plano ako kasama diumano si Justice Secretary Meynard Guevarra na mag sampa ng kaso laban po kay Governor Gwen Garcia (There is no truth to the reports that I have a plan with Justice Secretary Meynard Guevarra to file a case against Governor Gwen Garcia),” Roque said in a Palace press briefing.
Roque clarified that as President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesperson, he has no authority to file charges against erring national or local officials.
“Napakahirap pong magkaso po ako laban kay Governor Gwen dahil unang-una, hindi po ‘yan kasama sa katungkulan ko bilang isang spox. Laway lang po ako bilang spox (It is very difficult for me to sue Governor Gwen because first of all, that is not part of my responsibility as a spox. I’m just the talking head as spokesperson),” he said.
He also noted that it is known by many that he and Garcia are “best friends forever” or BFFs.
“Maski ako’y bigyan ng ganyang kapangyarihan, alam naman po ng marami na mag-BFF po kami ni Governor Gwen at hindi ko po magagawa ‘yun. Siguro ibang tao pong gagawa nun kung kinakailangan (Even if you give me that kind of power, many people know that Governor Gwen and I are BFFs and I can't do that. Maybe other people will do it if necessary),” he added.
Meanwhile, Roque said he believed Garcia simply “innovated” when she decided to slightly modified the swabbing policy.
“Pero naniniwala naman po ako na nag-innovate po ang ating Governor Gwen Garcia nung siya’y magpa-implement ng polisiya na hindi kapareho ng Maynila nung mga panahon na kulang po ang kanilang mga kama for isolation (But I believe that Governor Gwen Garcia innovated when she implemented a policy that was not the same as Manila during the times when they lacked beds for isolation),” he said.
Roque also confirmed that Duterte's meeting with Garcia to discuss the national government order to divert international flights bound for Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will push through on Monday afternoon.
He said Duterte and Garcia will also discuss the IATF protocols on the swabbing of ROFs and OFWs.
Garcia has maintained that she did not violate any laws over the IATF’s swabbing policy. (PNA)
