Pro-Duterte bloggers lambast Roque for defending media

FILE: Newly-appointed Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. entertains queries from members of the media following his first press briefing in Malacañan on November 2, 2017. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Well-known pro-President Rodrigo Duterte bloggers took a swipe against Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque for coming on the journalists’ side on the issue of fair criticism.

Thinking Pinoy blogger RJ Nieto and Sass Rogando Sasot lambasted Roque for “chickening out” in his statement to throw hollow blocks to the detractors of Duterte, including journalists.

“I am calling out to the DDS and I was hoping Asec Mocha could be here to send the message. In due course, we will explain in a manner that all will understand why rights of the free press are important,” Roque said.

Earlier, Roque warned Duterte’s critics that he will hollow blocks if they throw stones.

In response, Nieto asked Roque: “Since when were the rights of the free press threatened under this administration?

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“E ikaw nagsabi ng lintik na hollow block na yan, tapos hindi mo mapangatawanan na figurative ang sinabi mo? Alam mo sa sarili mong non-issue ang ibinabato ng mainstream, pero sinakyan mo parin. TRAPO (Traditional politician) [You said you’ll throw hollow blocks, now you can’t stand behind your statement that is figurative. You know that the reports of media are non-issue yet you still ride on it],” Nieto said.

“Nasaan ang bayag mo Spox, nag leave of absence ba? [Where are your balls, Spox, did they take a leave of absence?],” he added.

The Thinking Pinoy blogger then asked Roque to resign, describing his appointment as a “big mistake.”

“Umalis ka diyan. At wag ka nang umasa sa 2019 [Step down. And don’t be hopeful about 2019],” he said in his blog.

Nieto then called Roque as “nothing like my President.”

“Trapong-trapo ang galawan mo Spox. Nakakasuya. Kinuha ka kamo ni Pres Rody Duterte dahil kasing anghang mo siya magsalita, na kesyo lalabanan mo ang mga batong ibabato ng mga kritiko [Your actions are that of a traditional politician. Pres. Rody Duterte appointed you because he believes you share the same speech pattern and that you will defend him against criticism],” he said.

Nieto said Roque has no right to order around supporters of the president.

“Sinabi mo pang dapat pagsabihan ang DDS? Hoy, wala kang kakayahang utusan ang mga supporter ng pangulo [You even said DDS should be given a reminder? You don’t have the right to order the supporters of the President around.],” wrote the blogger.

Sasot, meanwhile, blasted Roque for defending journalists but not standing up for pro-Duterte bloggers.

“Now, the Spox. Roque is telling us to stop throwing anyting at a Rappler journalist! REALLY? You want us Spox Roque to stand silent as your friends at Rappler do this to us?” Sasot said in a Facebook post.