Duterte: ‘Roque is really running’ in 2019 polls

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday confirmed that his spokesman, Harry Roque, will run in the coming 2019 midterm elections.

“Harry Roque, I think he’s really running,” Duterte told reporters in a briefing at the Heroes Hall in Malacañan Palace.

Duterte made the affirmation two days before the start of the filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) by aspirants who wish to vie for national and local posts in next year’s elections.

Roque earlier told reporters in a press briefing that he has yet to decide whether or not to seek a Senate seat.

He added that he will talk to the President about his election plans.

Duterte also revealed that Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Guiling Mamandiong, Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones, Presidential Political Adviser Francis Tolentino, Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano are also eyeing to run in the 2019 elections. /kga