Roque not seeking Kabayan’s nomination

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque

“Absolutely false.”

That was Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque’s answer to the claim of Kabayan Party-list that he had expressed a desire to be the group’s nominee in the 2019 midterm elections.

Roque made the remark on Thursday after Kabayan issued a statement, claiming that it received “a feeler” from Roque supposedly expressing intent to be one of its nominees again in the House of Representatives.

Before his appointment as President Duterte’s spokesman, Roque, who has been widely known to be eyeing a Senate seat in the 2019 polls, was a Kabayan representative.

In response to Roque’s alleged request, the Party-list stressed that he was no longer a member of the group and that its nominees were already set.

In January 2017, Roque was removed by the Kabayan as its representative in Congress for his “severely damaging” statements, including a call on the Senate to oust Senator Leila De Lima.

This, however, was contradicted by Roque.

“We’re the real Kabayan as per Constitution,” Roque told reporters in a text message.

Roque added that he had yet to make up his mind whether to seek a Senate seat or grab Duterte’s new job offer.

“‘Di pa tapos kami ni PRRD (mag-usap),” Roque told INQUIRER.net when asked about his election plans. /cbb

READ: Duterte: ‘Roque is really running’ in 2019 polls / New job offer? Roque goes on leave