Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque has cheerfully announced on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, that the country has “beat” the COVID-19 prediction of University of the Philippines researchers that there would be 40,000 cases by the end of June.

In the live briefing, Roque throws his fist in the air, Duterte’s signature gesture, after the failed projection since the Philippines as of Monday, June 29, has confirmed 36,438 COVID- 19 cases and it only has 1,000 in backlogs.

"Today is the last day na pala. Ano bang sinasabi ko. Wala na po, panalo na tayo! We beat the UP prediction po. We beat it so congratulations, Philippines! Let's do it again in July," he said.

The Palace Spokesman seemed like celebrating the news on his so-called “PH victory.”

"Wala pong katotohanan 'yung 10,000 [backlogs], 1,000 plus na lang po ang ating backlog which means we did not hit 40,000 or we will not hit 40,000 by end of June," Roque said in a Palace press briefing.

Based on the data from the Department of Health, it has already 46,272 positive tests for the virus, a bit far from the confirmed cases. As per the process, they need to undergo validation before being listed as confirmed cases.

UP researchers have also released the predicted number of COVID-19 cases in the country that may spike for the month of July, they say that it may pass 60,000 by the end of the month.

Netizens have expressed disappointment on social media for what they called as another “clown act.”

Malacañang claims that the Philippines is “winning” the fight and assuring the public that the government is “in control” of the situation.