Harry Roque withdraws senatorial plans, to run for party-list rep instead

Lawyer Harry Roque files certificate of candidacy for Kabayan party-list representative. YUJI VINCENT GONZALES/INQUIRER.net

Lawyer Harry Roque on Wednesday said he will no longer seek a Senate post as initially planned and will run for party-list representative instead.

Roque filed his certificate of candidacy as the first nominee of Kabayan party-list at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) headquarters in Intramuros, Manila.

“My role as a public interest lawyer and as a professor has taught me how to use existing tools toward the building of a more egalitarian and open society. Certainly, my background will assist me in crafting laws for the same ends,” Roque said.

Roque previously said he was “seriously considering” the offer of Vice President Jejomar Binay to be included in the United Nationalist Alliance’s senatorial ticket.

In a blog post, Roque said the Senate needs to have “qualified” members and that winning a Senate seat will prove that “common citizens, law professors and human rights advocates” can be elected.

Roque, who is known for defending the Binays amid corruption allegations being hurled against the family, has taught Constitutional law and international law at the UP College of Law for the past 15 years. JE