Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said he has no hard feelings towards President Rodrigo Duterte, even after he was suddenly replaced while he was on leave.
“None at all. None at all,” he said in a press briefing on Wednesday when asked if he felt resentment towards the President.
Roque was filing his certificate of candidacy for senator in the 2019 polls when he was asked about his relationship with Duterte, who earlier told him to drop his Senate dream.
READ: Harry Roque changes mind, to run for senator in 2019
“Let me make it clear. I did not feel offended at any time during my stint as presidential spokesperson even if there was at least an instance when I thought I could perhaps do my job better,” said Roque.
READ: Quo vadis, Harry?
He said he maintains a “very good relationship” with Duterte, whom he said he met in an event over the weekend.
Despite being suddenly replaced by Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo as spokesperson, Roque said he will continue to defend Duterte, saying he remains the “best President.”
“Until now, I believe he is the best President under existing conditions,” he said.
“Of course I will continue to defend the President kahit ano pong mangyari (no matter what happens), even if I will cease to speak for him,” he added.
He said he will also appreciate if Duterte will help him campaign in the upcoming polls.
Meanwhile, Roque said he is back to his “old self” now that he is not in Malacañang. He said he can now speak according to his own standards. /je