Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque responded to former Senator Antonio Trillanes, who dared the administration to appoint Vice-president Leni Robredo as the chief of the country’s COVID-19 task force.
“We find it really unfortunate that Mr. Antonio Trillanes IV is sowing intrigue and division during this challenging time of COVID-19,” Roque said Thursday.
Roque said in an interview ANC on Wednesday: “I just wish the vice president could actually offer solutions,” to which Trillanes responded: “If Malacañang really wants to flatten the curve, then it should appoint [Robredo] to be the IATF chair.”
“Let us not make an issue when there is none. My remarks that Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo could have offered solutions is simply a response to a specific question by media, and we reiterate this to the Vice President: If she could offer solutions on how to address those who earlier tested negative for COVID-19 in Metro Manila but tested positive once they reached their respective provinces, I would be more than willing to submit her proposed solutions to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF),” Roque explained.
Also read: Trillanes dares Malacañang to let Robredo lead IATF
The former human rights lawyer also said Malacañang acknowledge the contributions of the Vice President in the fight against COVID-19. “She is helping in her own ways, and if her intentions are genuine, there is no need for her to be appointed or designated in the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), as suggested by the former Senator,” he added.
Roque asked Trillanes, “not to twist my statement for the sake of political relevance and just do his share to alleviate the plight of our people amid this pandemic.”
“It is only through our solidarity and cooperation can we heal and recover as one,” Roque concluded his statement.
In 2018, Trillanes announced that his friendship with Roque ended when the latter joined the “dark side.”
“Simula noong sumama siya sa dark side, palagay ko nagkasaulian na ng kandila doon eh (Since he joined the dark side, I think we have already surrendered candles), Trillanes said.
Meanwhile, in 2010, Roque called Trillanes, a hero in his blog titled “A Christmas Tribute to Trillanes.“