Roque appointed as Presidential Adviser on Human Rights

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (File photo by JOAN BONDOC / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque as Presidential Adviser on Human Rights.

Roque announced this on Wednesday, though Malacañang has yet to release a copy of his appointment papers.

“Being appointed recently as Presidential Adviser on Human Rights concurrent with my being the Presidential Spokesperson, I will take steps to ensure that the Philippines discharges its obligations in protecting and promoting human rights, especially the right to life,” he said in a statement.

Before joining Duterte’s Cabinet, Roque was a Kabayan Partylist Representative and a human rights lawyer.

Roque has served as the lawyer of the relatives of the media members killed in the Maguindanao massacre and as counsel for the family of slain transgender Jennifer Laude. /je