Roque ordered: ' Do what is right, tell the truth'

MANILA - "Do what is right and tell the truth."

That was President Rodrigo Duterte's directive to Kabayan party- list Representative Harry Roque, who is set to officially take on the role of Presidential Spokesperson on Monday, November 6.

Speaking to Palace reporters, Roque said the President reminded him to do his job well as the new presidential spokesman and to disseminate factual information to the public.

"[ Duterte told me] only two things: stick for what is right for the country and never lie. So do what is right and tell the truth. [ That's the President's] two orders," Duterte's incoming spokesman said in a press conference.

Roque's new appointment was revealed by Duterte on October 27 during the former's birthday celebration in Davao City.

Duterte, in an interview on October 29, said Roque's competence would help him "carry my word to the public."

"It's in the messaging actually. We cannot speak the same words altogether but how we could convey that message from me would be the most important. I trust that he’d be able to come up to the expectations," the President said.

Roque assured Duterte that as the new spokesman, he would deliver the President's message to the Filipino people.

He said the public can expect a "different approach" since he would speak from "legal perspective."

The incoming presidential spokesman said he was also open to "opposing and conflicting" stance against Duterte's policies.

He, however, metaphorically warned that "stones hurled are welcome but expect to have bigger stones thrown back at you."

"I have the back of the President covered. Now, you can take it literally or figuratively. But what I meant was since I believe in the free marketplace of ideas, stones hurled are welcome. But expect to have bigger stones thrown back at you," Roque said.