MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Wednesday he will decide on his political plans for 2022 after the Philippines finally achieves so-called population protection against COVID-19.
In an online press briefing, Roque said he remains focused on his role as the official mouthpiece of President Rodrigo Duterte, stressing the importance of communication during a pandemic.
“Sa ngayon po, nakatutok tayo sa ating katungkulan, tayo po ay bumallik bilang spokesperson sa panahon ng pandemya dahil naniniwala tayo na kinakailangan ng paktwal at accurate na information ang taumbayan sa panahon ng pandemya,” Roque said when asked if he will run for senator in the 2022 national elections.
(Right now, we are focused on our duty, we returned as spokesperson amid the pandemic because we believe that factual and accurate information is needed at a time like this.)
Roque said he is also focused on increasing the public’s confidence in getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Diyan po muna tayo tututok. Siguro po ‘pag nakamit natin ang tinatawag na population protection, ‘yun po ‘yung panahon para magdesisyon kung ano ang magiging plano natin sa pulitika,” he added.
(We will first focus on that. Maybe once we achieve the so-called population protection, that’s the time we will decide our political plans.)
Population protection means the full vaccination of at least 40 percent to 50 percent of the population – or roughly 40 million to 50 million Filipinos. The Philippines, however, has so far fully vaccinated at least 5 million individuals since it launched its anti-coronavirus inoculation campaign in March.
Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone, who is also Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) vice president for Visayas, reportedly said that Roque is among Duterte’s choices to run for senator in the upcoming elections.
Roque said he cannot confirm yet the supposed senatorial list released by Evardone.
“I cannot confirm po na si Presidente Duterte na ang namili niyan kasi hindi pa po sinasabi sa akin ni Presidente iyan,” he said.
(I cannot confirm that President Duterte selected those in the list because the President hasn’t mentioned that to me yet.)
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