Man claiming to be my son ‘poll black propaganda’: Roque

MANILA – Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday night dismissed as “election black propaganda” the claim of a man in a TikTok video that the Palace official is his “biological dad.”

“We expect political trolls to work overtime in their vicious attacks as we enter the campaign season. This is nothing but an election black propaganda,” he said in a press statement.

Roque’s statement came after TikTok user @pulpolitika expressed disappointment over his response to Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso’s appeal to prioritize the purchase of Remdesivir and Tocilizumab to help treat coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients.

The man in the TikTok video, whose videos usually taunt the current administration, said he was “disappointed” over the reaction of Roque, whom he referred to as his “biological dad,” saying the supposed anti-coronavirus drugs are “meant to save lives.”

He was referring to Roque’s statement on Monday that Domagoso’s call was merely part of posturing ahead of the 2022 national elections.

“I’m disappointed, okay. Na-disappoint ako doon sa sagot ng aking biological dad, si Spokesperson Harry Roque, doon sa panawagan ni Yorme Isko na bumili ng Tocilizumab at Remdesivir (I was disappointed by the response of my biological dad, Spokesperson Harry Roque, over Yorme Isko’s call to buy Tocilizumab and Remdesivir),” he said.

Roque slammed the TikTok user’s effort to taint his reputation.

“The video post showing a man who claims that I am his biological father is a desperate attempt to discredit me in the eyes of the citizenry,” he said. “I have two children and anyone who claims (to be my child) should file an appropriate action in court so I may disprove the same.”

Roque has two children with his wife, Mylah Reyes.

He also explained that the government is looking for alternative drugs that could treat Covid-19 patients, considering that there is a shortage of Tocilizumab and Remdesivir.

“With regard to the shortage in Tocilizumab and Remdesivir, there is a current global supply problem due to the rising active cases and our health officials are looking for alternate treatment drugs for Covid-19,” he said.