MANILA – He already shot a video for a political advertisement but Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque was still thinking twice on running for senator in the 2019 midterm elections.
A remark President Rodrigo Duterte made was making him hold back.
Reappearing in Malacañang for a press briefing Tuesday (he was not around Monday and announced in a statement he was taking a leave of absence), Roque said he was further discussing his plans with Duterte.
The video “was shot over the weekend because it has been paid for. I have paid for it months ago,” Roque said. “We’ve had plans, and whatever has happened in the last few days, it was a major deviation from our plan.”
The presidential spokesman was “taken aback” by Duterte’s statement last week that he has no chance of winning as senator because of his “unpopularity among soldiers.”
While saying he had no hard feelings toward the President, Roque said the comment was “game-changing.”
“There was a change in tone. I think we had an agreement I would be doing this (Senate bid) ahead of time. That is why I am discussing my future plans with the President,” Roque said.
“’Di ako naniniwalang galit sa akin ang sundalo. ’Di rin ako naniniwalang seryoso ang Presidente noong sinabi niya iyon. He just wants me to take the job (of the Press Secretary),” he added.
Roque said his leave starts Wednesday. He said he will go on an overseas trip and possibly file his certificate of candidacy.
Earlier Roque hinted at stepping down as presidential spokesman after Duterte comment that he will just lose if he runs for senator and for being “kept in the dark” on some of the President’s affairs./PN
