By Alec Go
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque bade farewell as presidential spokesperson on Monday (Nov. 15) to push through with his plans to join the senatorial race in the upcoming elections.
The senatorial aspirant officially filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) under the People Reforms Party of the late former Sec. Miriam Defensor Santiago, substituting Paolo Mario Martelino.
Speaking at his last Palace briefing, Roque said he has already sought the permission of President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
“Nagpaalam na po ako kay Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte at kay Mayor Inday Sara Duterte para sa panibagong hamon na aking haharapin. Mula sa inyong pagiging spox ay ninanais ko pong maging action man sa Senado,” he said.
Roque earlier said that he will only run for senator if Duterte-Carpio seeks a national position in the 2022 elections.
“Sa mula’t-mula, ang aking sinasabi dito sa Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, kinakailangan po mag-ingat buhay para sa hanapbuhay,” he said.
“At iyan naman ang dahilan kung bakit babalik tayo sa larangan ng pulitika, babalik sana tayo sa Kongreso ng Pilipinas doon sa kamara ng Senado,” he added.
In a prerecorded video played toward the end of his Monday briefing, the presidential daughter asked for support for Roque’s candidacy.
Meanwhile, Roque said President Duterte’s representative will file the Chief Executive’s COC at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Manila later today.
“Hinding-hindi po sila (Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and Mayor Sara Duterte) magbabanggaan, hinding-hindi sila maglalabanan sa kahit anong posisyon,” he said. -bny
