President Duterte has appointed Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque as his new spokesperson, replacing Ernesto Abella after more than a year of service.
The President announced the latest addition to his Cabinet during the birth anniversary celebration of Roque in Davao City Friday.
In a video provided to Palace reporters by Maresciel Yao, Duterte said Roque is fit to be his spokesman as they have a playful mouth. “To get the message clear, sabi ko, ‘Harry will fit the bill – kasi parehong malikot ang bunganga namin,” he said.
Roque, a known human rights advocate and law professor, is expected to join the President’s three-day official to Japan this week.
Just a few days ago, the President described Roque as “my senator” when they attended the MassKara festival in Bacolod City. He previously asked Roque to join one of his foreign trips, saying he respects the lawmaker’s independent views on issues.
Early Friday, Abella’s assistant China Jocson dispelled rumors that he was leaving his post after skipping his regular press conference in Malacanang. “He is still presidential spokesperson. He is carrying out his mandate,” Jocson told Palace reporters about Abella. “He is not here right now and it is not unusual, I have done several briefings on his behalf so there is no – nothing unusual with the presidential spokesperson’s absence today,” she added.
Abella, a former pastor and businessman, was named presidential spokesperson in June 2016.
Duterte’s decision came after his alleged dissatisfaction with how Abella handled the media, especially when the President said that the European Union was suggesting that the Philippines could be removed from the United Nations due to human rights violations.
When it turned out that the seven-member of the International Delegates of the Progressive Alliance were the ones who made the comment referring to the UN Human Rights Council, Abella said that the President may have been reacting on false information he has read from the media.
According to his website, Roque received his Master of Laws with Merits from the London School of Economics in 1996, Bachelor of Laws from University of the Philippines in 1990, and Bachelor of Arts (Economics and Political Science) from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor in 1986.
Through the advocacy group Centerlaw, which he founded, Roque and his team represents the victims of the 2009 Ampatuan Massacre; the Malaya Lolas, victims of systematic rape and abuse by the Japanese Imperial Army; and the family of slain trans-woman Jennifer Laude, among others. (Genalyn D. Kabiling and Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)
