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AGAIN. President Rodrigo Duterte reappoints attorney Harry Roque as presidential spokesman. Stock photo of Malacañang
MANILA, Philippines – Months after resigning his post to run in the 2019 midterm elections, attorney Harry Roque will resume the position of President Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential spokesman.
Secretary Salvador Panelo confirmed this in a message to journalists on Monday, April 13.
“Yes, Harry Roque will return to his previous position,” said Panelo, adding that he will continue to be Duterte’s main legal adviser.
In a statement Monday, Assistant Secretary for Presidential Communications Rachel Queenie Rodulfo also confirmed this saying: “Harry Roque has accepted President Rodrigo Duterte’s offer to meet with the Administration … Welcome back, Secretary Roque.”
Roque said he will resume his role on Monday afternoon.
Roque takes over as Panelo, who became a spokesperson after Roque ran for senator during the 2019 midterm elections. Roque was behind the spokesman’s podium for the last time in October 2018.
The change comes as the Philippines deals with the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed 297 people and infected 4,648 more as of Sunday, April 12.
According to Panelo, Roque was re-elected to his previous position as “the current crisis requires a new tactic in messaging.”
As a presidential spokesman, Roque, a former human rights lawyer, had been widely criticized for taking positions contrary to what he had defended before joining the government (LEA: Harry Roque tricks for Duterte)
Roque told Rappler that he had “stopped having personal opinions” while speaking for the president.
Presenting his candidacy certificate for the 2019 midterm elections, Roque also said he would continue to defend Duterte. – Rappler.com
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