Roque resigns from post, pursues Congress bid

PRESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. on Monday, October 15, bade farewell to Malacañang, as he pursued his intent to run for Congress in the 2019 midterm elections.

Roque, who went on leave last week, announced his decision to quit his post as spokesperson of President Rodrigo Duterte despite the Chief Executive's suggestion for him to drop his plan to seek a Senate seat.

Roque, who initially eyed to run for senator, said the President supported his bid to seek a seat at the House of Representataves under the Luntian Pilipinas, an environment party-list.

"I had a conversation with President Duterte last night... I am taking the advice of the President while it was almost my intention to file a COC for senator, I will actually file tomorrow a certification of nomination for Luntian Pilipinas party-list," Roque said in his last press conference with Palace reporters.

"I took his advice that the best option for now is to go back to Congress, which is really my option," he added.

Roque made the announcement three days before the end of the filing of certificates of candidacy for the local and national posts in the 2019 polls.

On October 4, Duterte prodded Roque to give up his senatorial bid, telling the latter that a new government post awaits him in exchange for his stay in the executive department.

Duterte made the offer, believing that Roque has no fighting chance of winning the senatorial race next year.

Roque's resignation also came four days after a memorandum signed on October 11 delegated Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo as presidential spokesperson to ensure "continuous and effective delivery of public service."

Roque was appointed as Duterte's spokesperson in November 2017.

He said his resignation from office was not the end of his public service.

"We tried our very best [as President Duterte's spokesman]," he said. "This is not the end of our public career."