Martin Nievera puts Roque in hot seat, then lights it

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque with singer Martin Nievera during the pressbriefing held at New Executive Bldg. in Malacañang, July 19, 2018. INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

Politics and show biz again proved inseparable on Thursday when singer and television host Martin Nievera interviewed presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

Roque’s regular briefing with Malacañang reporters became a preview of Nievera’s new show on ANC, as the singer put the Palace official in the hot seat and proceeded to light it.

What did you have for breakfast, the TV host asked Roque, a departure from the official’s usual diet of questions on politics and governance.

“You were there. I had chicken longganisa and egg,” quipped Roque, who gamely answered Nievera’s questions.

President’s message

Asked about his often testy relationship with reporters covering President Duterte, Roque described the job of the Malacañang Press Corps as “very important … because the message of the President is delivered to the people through them.”

And how transparent was he during his press briefings with reporters, Nievera asked Roque.

“You heard what I said,” Roque said.

“On the matter of the Department of Finance [which I] said was confidential, I will divulge [it] because I think people are entitled to know,” the Palace official added, referring to a government project.

Asked about his advice to Mr. Duterte whenever he

delivers speeches, Roque said the Chief Executive should “stick to the prepared script.”

Speech writers

He added that he had promised “to help look for better speech writers who will write speeches that (the President) will actually read.”

Nievera also got his fair share of questions from Palace reporters.

What did he think of the President, he was asked.

“He is the best singing President of all the Presidents, thank you,”  Nievera said, in apparent reference to Mr. Duterte’s penchant for singing his favorite songs “Ikaw” and You Raise Me Up” whenever he meets with overseas Filipino workers in his trips abroad.  —JULIE M. AURELIO