Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 14) — Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Saturday dismissed criticisms on social media about his singing session, while a flooding disaster was unfolding in Cagayan province.
In a message, Roque briefly mentioned the incident before proceeding to discuss other matters.
“Just when I thought I could unlade a little after a hectic week/s, my unremarkable singing as a means of unloading goes public and I get a beating,” Roque said.
He then added, “Having said this, let us go back to the most pressing matter at the moment, which is providing the much-needed assistance to our distressed brothers and sisters in the aftermath of Typhoon Ulysses.”
On Friday, a video footage of Roque singing with a band while having a night out went viral, with netizens roundly slamming the official. It was during the time when desperate messages were being sent out on different social media platforms, calling for government officials to urgently send rescue teams to Cagayan province.
The massive floods in Cagayan have killed at least nine people and forced over 37,000 to flee their homes, local officials said. Additional personnel have been deployed to rescue stranded residents, some of whom were forced to spend the night on their rooftops.
A deluge of donation drives from concerned netizens was also launched on different social media platforms.
Water levels are slowly receding, authorities said, but rescue efforts are still ongoing.
