‘SPECIAL CASE’ | Officials defend Roque’s PGH admission, could’ve been given Duterte’s VIP suite

April 14, 2021 , 12:21 PM

(April 14, 2021) – After being heavily criticized for easily getting admitted to a hospital despite reports of full capacity, a few government officials defended presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, saying it was a “special condition.”

Dr. Ted Herbosa, adviser of the National Task Force Against COVID-19, told One PH’s Sa Totoo Lang that the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), where Roque was admitted last Saturday after testing positive for the fatal virus, gives favorable treatment to government officials as gratitude for their service.

“Noong ako po’y head ng emergency department ng Philippine General Hospital, siyempre we afford a special condition to people who serve in the government. Parang suklian na natin ’yon. Senator siya, congressman siya, ‘pag tumawag ‘yan, tinutulungan natin ma-facilitate,” said Herbosa.

Herbosa was also sure that no other patient was displaced by Roque’s confinement, citing the “creativity” of the PGH.

“‘Yung pinaglagyan ng mga rooms sa kanya, in fact, ang ginive up na room are room for our healthcare workers which means hindi naman masyadong nai-infect ang healthcare workers. Naka-reserve talaga ‘yun so may available. Nagawan lang ng paraan so that’s up to the creativity of the hospital director,” said Herbosa.

The controversial Roque was under fire yet again after he got prioritized over many other patients waiting to get admitted to PGH, where the intensive care unit is already at full capacity and the COVID-19 beds at 90% capacity.

When reporters asked him about the issue, Roque got irate and said the question was “unchristian,” earning even more ire from the public, calling him “unprofessional” and cursing him out on social media.

Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, a former Department of Health secretary said Roque may have been able to get admitted to the PGH after President Rodrigo Duterte waived his presidential suite.

“As former secretary of health, I am aware that there are two presidential suites. One in PGH, one in the Philippine Heart Center. It’s possible that the president waived his right to that (PGH) room. Palagi talagang bakante ’yan, in preparation for an emergency that set in. But that can be waived, to an official or somebody,” said Garin.

Garin added all hospitals have a policy where government officials are guaranteed a room in case of an emergency, although she admitted she isn’t entirely sure.

“I think it’s not in writing but all countries would have that. There’s a reserved room for the president parang whatever happens, or there’s extreme pandemic, o merong mangyaring grabe, doon madadala,” said Garin.

It’s the second time Roque has been heavily criticized after testing positive for COVID-19. Rumors swirled last month that he was isolated in a five-star hotel in Pasay when he first got infected. He maintained he was in a quarantine facility in San Juan.

Roque has maintained the government has done an “excellent job” in handling the deadly disease.

(Kiko Demigillo/PM)

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