MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesman Harry Roque took oath as a member of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago, the local party of President Rodrigo Duterte, but remains tight-lipped on his political plans.
Roque said it is just proper for him to join Duterte's party because he is the presidential spokesman.
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"I took the oath a while ago. Well, you know I am the presidential spokesperson and the president has said that ever since Hugpong is his party. So, I think it’s only right that I also join his party. This is without prejudice to alliances that Hugpong may enter into, including with PDP-Laban (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan)," Roque said in a press briefing in Davao Occidental.
Duterte served as the standard bearer of PDP-Laban during the 2016 polls. He is now the chairman of the ruling party.
Roque, who has been holding press briefings in different provinces, kept mum on his political plans.
"I am still praying. It's up to God," the presidential spokesman said.
"I am just an activist. I never thought I would be a congressman. When I was congressman, I never expected to be invited by the president to become a member of the Cabinet," he added.
Roque ranked 25th to 33rd in the June 2018 nationwide pre-election survey of Pulse Asia. — Alexis Romero