MMDA spox on being Roque’s replacement: ‘Inappropriate’

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Spokesperson Celine Pialago on Wednesday said it is “inappropriate and ill-timed” to discuss on who will be the next Presidential Spokesperson, citing that Harry Roque has not vacated his post yet to run for the 2019 polls.

Pialago was one of the names being floated to replace Roque once he files his resignation in preparation for his reported candidacy.

Roque however has not made an official declaration yet on his reported plan to run for the Senate.

“It is still uncertain if Secretary Roque will run for any elective office and has not resigned. It is inappropriate and ill-timed to discuss filling the position of the Presidential Spokesperson while it has not been vacated,” Pialago said in a statement.

“The matter of who will be the next Presidential Spokesperson is only for the President to discuss,” she added.

According to Pialago, she was “surprised” to learn from a report that she was shortlisted to replace Roque.

Pialago said that as an official of the MMDA, they are currently focused on monitoring the traffic situation around Metro Manila with the country preparing for the All Souls Day break and long holiday season.  /muf