Uson, Roque among early birds Senate race

MALACAÑANG on Saturday welcomed the announcement that Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux "Mocha" Uson were included in the senatorial lineup of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said it would be a "nobrainer" for Uson, if she decides to run for senator in 2019 since she is a "very popular person."

Uson, a sexy star turned blogger and politician, has turned into a social media influencer to more than five million people who follow her on her Facebook page "Mocha Uson Blog."

Andanar said there is a high possibility that Uson will win the 2019 senatorial race because "she can please the crowd."

"Mocha is a very popular person [and] part of her being an Assistant Secretary is she has many followers. It's not a secret to our fellow countrymen that she really has many followers on social media," Andanar told government-owned dzRB.

"Her five million [followers], if they will vote, as well as her relatives, there's a big chance [of her winning as senator]. If there is a possibility of winning, it's no brainer for Mocha. She can please the crowd in a Senate campaign, miting de avance, among others," he added.

On Friday, Uson said she was “surprised” by her inclusion in the ruling party's senatorial slate, noting that

she has no intentions to pursue the senatorial bid.

She added that only the President can convince her to run for senator, in a bid to help the current administration live up to its promise to push for “real change.”

“If I would run [for senator], it is because President Duterte wants me to run because my only intention is to help the Duterte administration to bring the change he promised during the election,” Uson said.

Andanar said Roque is “exception to rule” when he was endorsed as among the PDP-Laban’s senatorial bet, despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s 2016 directive to his Cabinet members not to join the 2019 senatorial derby.

Andanar even recounted that in October, no less than the President endorsed Roque for senator in the 2019 polls.

“Secretary Roque’s case is different. When he assumed post [as spokesman], that is after the fact when the President said he will not allow his Cabinet official [to run for president in 2019]... As a matter of fact, when Roque was introduced in Bacolod, the President said the former was included in his senatorial slate. So Roque is an exception to the rule,” he said.

“You know, it’s really the prerogative of the President, isn’t it? So if he wants his Cabinet member like Secretary Roque to run, then it is really his choice,” Andanar added.

Roque, who assumed his position as Duterte’s spokesman on November 6, has expressed openness to run for senator.

But on Friday, he said his current focus was to become the “best spokesperson” of the President.

“I am however focused on my new job as the President’s spokesperson and my priority right now is to do my absolute test in communicating the message of the President to our people. I have also, without means, to pursue a Senate bid. So while I am thankful, I reiterate that my priority is to be the best spokesman that i can be for the president,” he said. SunStar Philippines