Roque still weighing his options, says Bong Go

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque –INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque is still weighing his options if he will stay as President Rodrigo Duterte’s official mouthpiece, Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go said Monday.

Roque on Friday said he is considering resigning after he was “taken aback” by the confirmation of a hospital visit by Duterte, which he said he did not know about.

He added that he will need a weekend to ponder whether to run for senator in the coming 2019 midterm elections or accept Duterte’s offer of a new job. However, Roque’s office on Monday morning announced that he has gone on leave.

READ:Roque goes on leave after Duterte ‘quit Senate dream’ advice

“For me personally, he’s still weighing his options,” Go told Palace reporters in a phone interview.

Duterte’s trusted aide insisted that Roque was not being sulky after being left in the dark about Duterte’s activities.

Over the weekend, Roque was left behind again on Duterte’s whereabouts

In a message to reporters on Saturday afternoon, Roque said that the President was in his hometown Davao City.

“PRRD is now in Davao,” he said.

However, Duterte was confirmed to be in Hong Kong along with his partner Honeylet Avanceña and their daughter Kitty.

Go stressed that Duterte’s Hong Kong visit was “unplanned” and private.

“Wala naman talagang nakakaalam ng trip sa Hong Kong e. Talagang private yon at biglaan,” he said.

Go also said that Roque will attend Monday’s Cabinet meeting and could possibly talk with the President. /je