FILE – Former presidential spokesperson and senatorial candidateHarry Roque Jr./ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Despite running under the slate of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., former presidential spokesperson and senatorial candidate Harry Roque said Thursday he would join President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign trail.
Roque made the remark days after he announced he would join the senatorial slate of Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is vying for the vice-presidential seat.
“Maraming nagtatanong, bakit si Harry Roque nasa entablado ni Bongbong Marcos? Unang-una, nananatili akong kandidato ng People’s Reform Party na kabahagi ng administrasyon. Mananatili akong kandidato at sasamahan ko ang ating Presidente Rodrigo Duterte kung saan man siya mangangampanya para senador,” Roque said in Batangas province.
(Many are wondering why Harry Roque is on Bongbong Marcos’ stage. First of all, I am a People’s Reform Party candidate that is part of the administration. My candidacy will continue and I will stand with our President Rodrigo Duterte wherever he campaigns for senator.)
“Pero narinig ko rin sa ating presidente na ngayong walang ulo ang administration ay pwede ng pumili ng kung sino ang gustong maging ulo,” he added.
(I also learned from the President that the administration now has no head and that it can choose its own leader.)
Duterte backed the presidential bid of Senator Bong Go, who has withdrawn from the presidential race. At one point, Duterte called Marcos Jr. a “weak leader.”
READ: Bong Go withdraws from presidential race; PDP-Laban now without standard-bearer
Roque, for his part, said he trusts Duterte-Carpio, the daughter of the President.
He added that Inday Sara embodies all the qualities of Duterte, such as ability, honesty and courage, thus running for vice president and teaming up with Bongbong Marcos was the right decision.