WILL DUTERTE LISTEN TO ROQUE ON DRUGS ISSUE?

House opposition member Edcel Lagman said that newly designated presidential spokesman Harry Roque cannot be an adviser to and spokesman of President Rodrigo Duterte at the same time. Lagman cited the executive order and other issuances about the position: no such thing as adviser-spokesman, the minority lawmaker said.

In actuality, however, Roque can do both. Anybody can advise Duterte: anyone whom he allows to talk with on any issue can advise. The problem is: will he listen and, having listened, will he follow the advice?

Counsel doesn’t need to follow the route provided by law. Aside from legal procedures, there are various ways by which Duterte may get opinion. The sources now may include Roque.

The big puzzler is whether Roque, who is a self-proclaimed advocate against violations of human rights, will persuade Duterte to change his policy regarding traffickers and users of illegal drugs and other controversial issues on human rights. And how the President will react to such advice.

How will it work? Roque advises Duterte what to say before Harry speaks out for the boss? If the advice is ignored, the spokesman will be placed in a situation where he mouths Duterte’s message even if it is against his professed beliefs.

Roque can simplify things by admitting he has switched beliefs and will now parrot whatever the President says.