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Presidential spokesman Harry Roque explains the hammer and dance theory in his televised press conference. Screenshot from PCOO’s Facebook video
MANILA, Philippines – Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Thursday that he respects President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to grant a full pardon to U.S. Navy Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton amid questions about his difference of opinion on the topic.
“The president and I share the same deep conviction on the main policy issues that affect the country, such as charting an independent foreign policy course and zero tolerance against corruption,” Roque said in a statement.
“On the Pemberton issue, I respect the president’s wisdom, which is based on a broader national interest,” he added.
Roque became a trending topic online after Duterte granted full pardon to Pemberton, who was convicted of killing Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude.
Roque served as a lawyer for the Laude family during the judicial process of the case.
When an Olongapo court ordered Pemberton’s release due to his accumulated good time, Roque even described it as “judicial overreach.”
Roque has also described Laude’s assassination as “the death of Philippine sovereignty.”
“I, like the rest of the members of the Cabinet, serve at the pleasure of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” said Roque.
“Having said this, we, as members of the official family of the president, will be guided by the political pronouncements of the PRRD and will continuously and faithfully serve the Filipino people in its last two years to achieve the genuine change that this nation truly deserves,” he added. .
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