Roque ‘found resolve to run’ for Senate in 2022 after NYC rally vs ILC nomination | Inquirer News

Roque ‘found resolve to run’ for Senate in 2022 after NYC rally vs ILC nomination

By: - Reporter / @DYGalvezINQ
/ 10:23 AM November 04, 2021

Roque ‘found resolve to run’ for Senate in 2022 after NYC rally vs ILC nomination

FILE PHOTO: Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. shares his remarks to President Rodrigo Duterte during a meeting. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday said he has “found resolve” to seek a Senate seat in the 2022 elections after opposers of his nomination to the UN International Law Commission (ILC) staged a protest in New York City.

Filipino-American members of the Bayan-USA and US-based human rights groups held a demonstration in a New York City restaurant last week where Roque was attending a private reception. The Palace official was in New York City to push his campaign to bag a post in the ILC, which develops and codifies international law.

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According to Roque, the protest made him decide to prevent allies of what he called “extremist groups” to get elected in office.

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“When I found out what the extremist groups did, I found a resolve to actually run. Why? Because I don’t want to see their allies elected to office,” he said in an interview over ABS CBN News Channel.

READ: Protests mar Roque’s New York City reception

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Roque said he deplored accusations of the protesters that he is a “war criminal” because he has devoted his life to protecting and promoting human rights.

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“I felt, enough is enough. I’m not going to be bullied by these people and if I have to, I will stand for the elections to prove that the people support me,” the President’s mouthpiece said.

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Roque, however, said his final decision to run in next year’s polls would still depend on the advice of President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The Palace official previously expressed intention to run for senator in the May 2022 elections but also said he will only push through if Duterte-Carpio runs for president to succeed her father.

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READ: Roque says ready to file COC for senator, but will wait for Sara Duterte to file for presidency

However, the President’s daughter was a no-show during the eight-day filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for national posts before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila, seemingly dropping a presidential bid.

READ: No Sara Duterte listed for presidential race as COC filing closes

READ: Sara Duterte again rejects calls to run for president, wants to complete term as dmayor

Duterte-Carpio filed her COC for reelection in Davao City. Roque was not able to file his COC for senator.

READ: Roque bares Sara Duterte’s last-minute appeal for him to run for Senate

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However, should Roque finally decide to vie for a Senate spot, he can still do so as the People’s Reform Party (PRP) announced that it has a slot for Roque in its senatorial slate. Candidate substitution is allowed by the Comelec until November 15.

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TAGS: Election, Harry Roque, New York, Politics, rally, Senate

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