Rappler's latest stories on harry roque
Easing of Metro Manila quarantine restrictions after July 15 unlikely – Roque
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque says current data does not indicate quarantine restrictions can be relaxed further in the coming weeks

Malacañang: ABS-CBN franchise rejection is 'decision of Filipino people'
President Spokesman Harry Roque again claims the controversial decision has 'no chilling effect,' supposedly because ABS-CBN is mostly engaged in producing entertainment content
Malacañang respects House panel rejection of ABS-CBN franchise renewal
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque continues to claim that the Duterte administration has kept a 'neutral stance' on ABS-CBN, despite the Chief Executive's repeated threats against the network since 2017

Harry Roque's Husky puppy dies after getting hit by alleged Transportify driver
Transportify is yet to verify if the driver was one of theirs. Facebook users react strongly to the company's initial statement, demanding action and accountability.

Roque admits 'slow' ramp-up of testing capacity at start of pandemic
Harry Roque, spokesperson of the COVID-19 task force, says testing capacity should have been immediately expanded as early as the country's first imported case

Philippines lifts travel ban on Filipinos
Tourism is allowed, too, says Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque

Roque defends Anti-Terror Law, says safeguards 'enough' to protect rights
'Terrorists, beware of the Anti-Terror Law, pero iyong mga hindi naman po mga terorista, huwag po kayong mag-alala. Sapat-sapat po ang mga safeguards sa batas mismo,' says Roque

'No alternative' but lockdown if rising coronavirus cases continue, says Roque
'Pag lumala talaga at mawalan tayo ng critical care capacity o di kaya yung case doubling rate ay bumalik sa dating napakabilis, wala po tayo alternatibo,' Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque

Gov't to allow religious gatherings at 10% capacity in GCQ areas
Services besides haircuts will be allowed in salons and barber shops, too, pending official guidelines

'Not leisure,' says Roque about swim with dolphins at Ocean Adventure
As head of the Strategic Communications Task Group of the National Task Force COVID-19, Harry Roque is responsible for ensuring that Filipinos understand quarantine restrictions and other health policies designed to fight the pandemic

[OPINION] Harry’s rapture and the pandemic in our political leadership
'Here, dear Brutus, is where the fault lies – the quality of politicians we elect to office'

Harry in a hurry? Roque claims ‘victory’ based on incomplete COVID-19 data
(UPDATED) As of June 29, the health department actually reported 47,347 positive cases already

‘Extremely saddened’ Duterte wants to talk to 9 cops in Jolo ‘misencounter’
'Lungkot na lungkot siya. Ang ginamit nga niyang salita ay siya ay ‘nanlambot, extremely sad,’ says Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque

Netizens mock Roque's congratulating PH for 'beating' U.P. experts' COVID-19 prediction
The study in question predicted that coronavirus cases could shoot to 40,000 by the end of June

Roque spins again: 'We beat the UP prediction…Congratulations, Philippines!'
Given the still rising numbers, Roque's exuberance is misplaced, to say the least

School enrollment period extended to July 15 – Roque
'Pwede ba ho ngayon palang, kapag pu-pwede na, i-enroll na natin ang ating mga anak,' says Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque

Palace goes on defensive as PH leads in rise of virus cases in Western Pacific
Malacañang presents its own list to refute the World Health Organization's findings, but half of the countries included are not part of the WHO Western Pacific region

National task force to 'evaluate' Cebu City's COVID-19 response
The national government is also considering tapping a 'Visayas deputy implementer' to oversee the region's coronavirus efforts

Roque hits Morales for seeking delay in universal healthcare law implementation
PhilHealth President Ricardo Morales had earlier sounded the alarm over PhilHealth's funds given the drop in contributions due to the coronavirus pandemic

Malacañang hails late Danding Cojuangco's 'immense contribution' to economy
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque also recognizes how Cojuangco's company, San Miguel Corporation, helped in efforts against the novel coronavirus

Duterte 'inclined' to sign anti-terror bill – Roque
(3rd UPDATE) The Chief Executive has until July 9 to act on the controversial bill before it lapses into law

6 LGUs appeal for stricter quarantine protocols ahead of Duterte decision
Cebu City, one of the country's coronavirus hot spots, wants to be placed under modified enhanced community quarantine again

Malacañang claims Duterte supports free press but leaves out threats vs media
After the conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque uses President Rodrigo Duterte’s backing of a Davao-based journalist in an old libel case as proof he supports press freedom

As lawmakers change votes, Malacañang yet to receive anti-terror bill
Days after the highly divisive anti-terror bill hurdled Congress, the House still has not released the official breakdown of how lawmakers voted

Malacañang says Bayanihan Act to expire June 25, but Constitution says no
'The Constitution takes precedence over ordinary legislation,' says Senator Drilon on Malacañang's assertion

Gov't changes mind: Kids, seniors must stay home even under MGCQ
Even under the most relaxed form of community quarantine, those 21 and below, the elderly, and pregnant women can only leave their residences to obtain essential goods or to work

Malacañang: ‘We need the concerted effort of everyone’ in GCQ, MGCQ areas
'The government cannot fight COVID-19 alone,' says Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque as the country further eases quarantine measures

Duterte admin giving returning OFWs 'VIP treatment' – Roque
Malacañang responds to a labor group that condemned the government for its 'garbage-like treatment' of migrant Filipino workers

No coronavirus emergency cash aid for June – Roque
An exception may be made for families living in areas that have been placed under localized ECQ by mayors and governors

Malacañang seeks 90-day extension of Duterte special powers for COVID-19
The executive branch wants the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act to be valid until September 2020

Salons, barbershops allowed in GCQ areas starting June 7
Only haircutting will be allowed. Facials, eyebrow services, and nail services are still prohibited, says Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque.

Cebu City, more VisMin areas to be on GCQ starting June 1
Central Visayas, Mandaue City, and Zamboanga City are also added to GCQ areas after President Rodrigo Duterte initially placed them under the more relaxed modified GCQ

Harry Roque now Bong Go's mouthpiece too?
The Presidential Spokesman defends Senator Bong Go in reaction to a Rappler article about how the Duterte aide benefits from state media coronavirus coverage

Roque: Classes to resume virtually if community quarantine lasts until August 24
Students in areas without internet access may attend barangay 'makeshift classes' with radio or TV sets, says the presidential spokesperson

PH's actual coronavirus tests far behind 'estimated capacity' of 32,000
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque boasts some 32,000 tests can now be conducted. But in reality, only over 8,000 tests are being done per day.

Duterte orders OFWs stuck in Metro Manila to be brought home this week
(UPDATED) Some 24,000 overseas Filipino workers remain stranded in the capital region due to severe delays in the release of test results and certificates

First wave, second wave? Duterte officials clash on where PH is in pandemic
Malacañang insists the country is still in the first wave and downplays as a 'small thing' the difference with Health Secretary Duque's statement

Roque refuses to publicly apologize to CNN PH reporter
'Whatever it is I owe Trish, I’ve talked to Trish,' says the Duterte spokesman, who acknowledged his error in attributing the article to reporter Triciah Terada but stopped short of apologizing to her in public

Harry Roque scolds reporter – the wrong one – during live briefing
In the end, the question is left unanswered: why can't government do widespread mass testing for the novel coronavirus?

NUJP says Roque owes CNN Philippines, reporter an apology
'Officials who earn public ire for their pronouncements should not blame journalists who are merely doing their jobs,' says the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines

ECQ, MECQ, GCQ, MGCQ: Who can go where?
Confused by travel restrictions under different levels of community quarantine? Here's your guide to what's allowed and what isn't.

Government to rely on private sector to boost coronavirus testing capacity
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque says the government is working on increasing daily coronavirus testing capacity to 30,000 by the end of May

Palace warns Metro Manila to be on lockdown again if coronavirus cases rise
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also warns malls and other commercial establishments they risk closure if crowd control measures are not in place

Malacañang: Lockdown eased for economy, not because we're safe
'We must understand that we have started to slowly ease restrictions in order to revitalize the economy, and not because we are safe,' says Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque

Home religious services allowed under MECQ
(UPDATED) Priests, imams, rabbis, and other religious ministers may conduct religious services in houses as long as health protocols are observed, says the government

PNP readies criminal charges vs Sinas for birthday gathering
Malacañang says administrative sanctions will have to be approved by President Rodrigo Duterte since Major General Debold Sinas is his appointee

Social distancing 'per family' at Typhoon Ambo evacuation centers
As the first typhoon hits the Philippines amid the coronavirus pandemic, officials say families should stay at least one meter apart from other families at evacuation centers

FALSE: Roque says Duterte receives P460 million monthly from POGOs
Roque did not say this quote, and Inquirer.net says the graphic was manipulated

FALSE: Roque warning vs GMA, TV5 on criticizing Duterte
Roque did not warn other networks about criticizing the President in his interviews on May 6. Inquirer.net says the quote card was manipulated.

Types of private construction now allowed under ECQ
'Priority' private sector construction works like housing, food production facilities, and energy facilities can now take place even under the strictest form of community quarantine
