MANILA — Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque is hoping to get the endorsement of President Rodrigo Duterte in his bid for a Senate seat in the 2019 mid-term elections.
This, after the former government official on Wednesday filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Manila.
“Sana po (I hope so). I would want/wish (the President) endorses me. Until now, I think he is the best president under existing conditions and of course, I will continue to defend the President kahit anong mangyari (whatever happens) even if I have ceased to speak for him,” he told reporters.
While he was offered to join the administration’s party PDP-Laban, Roque said he is running under the People’s Reform Party, the organization of the late senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago (MDS).
“Yung ating puso talaga nasa Senate, nanalo na sa partylist (My heart is really in the Senate. We already won in the partylist elections). Been there done that, importante ay maisulong yun liderato na binigyang-buhay ni MDS (what is important is we push for the leadership embodied by MDS),” he said.
Once elected, Roque is confident that his experience as a former congressman will help him push for more important reforms in the Upper Chamber.
“Naniniwala kami na maraming ordinaryong mamamayan na naniniwala pa rin na di lang kasikatan. (Importante sa Senado), napatunayan ang kakayahan. Sixteen months tayo nag-serve sa Congress (We believe that most ordinary people do not look at fame. What is important in the Senate is a proven track record. We served in the Congress for 16 months) but we have four bills passed into law kasama free gamot, tanghalian sa kabataan, patubig (including free medicine, lunch for the youth and irrigation). Kung napakadami natin na naisabatas sa 16 months, marami magagawa sa (If we have enacted so much laws in 16 months, we can do more in) six years,” Roque added.
The former Palace spokesman said he will also push for equality, regardless of gender, complexion or race.
Meanwhile, Juan Ponce Enrile is also attempting to make a comeback at the Senate as he personally filed his COC.
In his re-filed COC, the 94-year-old former senator has indicated that he is running under Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, contrary to COC that was filed on Tuesday, where it was left blank.
Also, his occupation in the new COC has been changed from “businessman” to “lawyer”.
At the same time, Enrile said his age should not be an issue.
“I hope I will reach 110. But you know, in life, you cannot control your number of years on this planet. The control belongs to God. He can make it long, he can make it short. Who knows, I might outlive the others who are in the Senate today? I’m not saying that I’m immortal but only God knows,” he added. (Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
