Roque says his political plan hinges on NCR achieving ‘population protection’

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Friday he will only think of his political plans once Metro Manila achieves population protection in its COVID-19 vaccination.

Roque said this after the PDP-Laban Cusi faction named him as among its initial senatorial slate for the 2022 national elections.

“Pag meron na po tayong population protection sa Metro Manila, pagiisipan ko na po ang aking political plans,” Roque said in a press briefing.

(Once we have population protection in Metro Manila, I will think about my political plans.)

“Nais ko po muna makita na magkaroon ng papanong pagtatapos itong pandemyang ito sa pamamagitan po ng pagkamit ng population protection. So sinasantabi po muna natin mga planong pulitikal at tutok po tayo dito sa pag-enganyo sa ating mga kababayan na magpabakuna po tayo para po tayo ay makapagbalik buhay,” he added.

(I want to somehow see an end to this pandemic by achieving population protection. We are setting aside our political plans and continue to encourage our countrymen to be vaccinated.)

Still, Roque thanked PDP-Laban for considering him as a guest candidate.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa PDP-Laban, talagang nagagalak po ako na kinunsidera nila ako bilang guest candidate,” said Roque, who is part of the People’s Reform Party.

(I thank PDP-Laban and I am glad they consider me as a guest candidate.)

Population protection means vaccinating 50 to 60 percent of a population. In Metro Manila, some 52 percent of the target has so far been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

JPV