A talk with the new spokesperson

Last Friday, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte himself announced that he is appointing Kabayan Party-list Representative Harry Roque as his new spokesperson especially because of their similarities in their way of speaking. This, for me, is one of the vital reasons why he fits the position as spokesperson. This way he has a better understanding of what the president wants to say and he can translate it better to the members of the press and the public. In our interview with him last Sunday, he acknowledged the fact that his tongue is as sharp as the president’s and with this he implied that he will not allow anyone to just insult the president without a fight.

What more can we expect from him?

Hollow blocks! In our talk with him, he warned those who are just trying to destroy the president. If they can just do it smoothly before, they can expect that it will be different this time. Incoming spokesperson Harry Roque warned them to prepare because if they throw something, the new spokesperson will answer not just with a rock, but also hollow blocks. Also, instead of just attacking the president, he encourages them to help with the countless problems of our country.

If you will remember, there were articles about my supposed appointment in Bureau of Customs (BOC), I was appointed as Board Member in Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), and now I am an assistant secretary at Presidential Communications and Operations Office (PCOO); so, what do this all have in common? I was already criticized and judged as not being worthy before I took the position. In the case of BOC, I was maligned for something that’s not even true, by some people especially the self-proclaimed “Disente”. The same thing is happening with the newly appointed spokesperson. So what is his message to his critics especially those who were previously in power? 

You had your time, you had your chance, and you failed the people. Now, it’s time for another set of people to serve the Filipinos, and like what we gave you, we expect for a chance to truly serve the public. So to those who are criticizing me this early, all I can say is “Mamatay kayo sa Inggit.”

How will he handle some of the media who are just bent on destroying the image of the president?

One of the things that the people are curious about is how the incoming spokesperson will handle the members of the press whose only goal seems to be smearing the name of President Duterte. Here, he gave us a background with his good relation with the media. He is hopeful that he can work in harmony with the press. However, he expects the media to be truthful and responsible with their news and the information they disseminate to the public. As long as they don’t evidently become a tool for politicking, or if they’re not working to destroy this government, I believe they won’t have a problem with the new spokesperson.

Message to the supporters of President Duterte and to all Filipinos:

We asked spokesperson Roque for a short message to Filipinos and I believe that what we got is an insight to his character especially on being a true and sincere public servant:

I have been given the chance to serve the people and I will not turn my back on this kind of opportunity. I promise you the truth and we will not let anyone smear the duly elected president.

Now, to end this article, I find it fitting to quote Spokesperson Harry Roque’s message to the power-hungry politicians because I think it also embodies what the people feel about the traditional politicians who seem to have forgotten that why they were elected by the people. The people have given them their position, not to fight for their own ambition but to fight for what’s best for our country. We had decades of traditional politicians who wasted their time politicking instead of serving the Filipinos. Decades worth of politicking brought us nowhere and this is our message to the Traditional Politicians or Trapos:

To those who cannot wait till the next election, I just have one advice for you; “Manigas kayong lahat.”