The new Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. vowed on Thursday under the President Duterte’s marching order to “think for what is right for the country and never lie.”
During the Malacanang press briefing, Roque was appointed as the incoming Presidential Spokesperson and the newest member of the President’s Cabinet.
“I’m a firm believer in freedom of expression and freedom of the press. I thought I would not be as good a spokesperson as others who were members of the media. But I realized that my working relationship with the media, having defended many of you for libel and having prosecuted cases involving members of the media, should help me in this new undertaking,” Roque said.
“I assume this obligation cognizant of the importance of the free marketplace of ideas and I assume this obligation recognizing that the people do have a right to information on matters that affect them,” he added.
He even assured that he welcomes opposing and conflicting views in media as long as it is healthy and important in the democracy.
“I am for free exchange of ideas and I welcome opposing and conflicting views, as healthy and important in the democracy,” he mentioned. | (Tina Joyce Laceda – PTV)