Harry Roque skips briefing, takes leave

PRESIDENTIAL spokesperson Harry Roque has taken a leave of absence starting yesterday as he continued to mull over his options whether or not to stay in government.

“Please be advised that Presi­dential Spokesperson will be on leave starting today, Monday, Oct. 8,” a media advisory from Roque’s office said.

Roque was supposed to hold a press conference yesterday to an­nounce his decision whether or not he would accept a new government job or resign to pursue his Senate bid in next year’s elections.

He said that he would not hold his regular press conferences in Malacañang this week, as he was expected to take a personal trip abroad tomorrow.

Despite going on leave, he was still prepared to issue statements on issues and other queries from the media.

The announcement of Roque’s weeklong leave came a few days after President Duterte advised him to abandon his Senate plans since he would not win in the polls. Duterte instead offered Roque a new job in Malacañang.

Roque, in a press conference last Friday, said he would need the weekend to study his options.

Roque has apparently been kept in the dark again about the Presi­dent’s activities when he told re­porters that he was in Davao City last weekend. It turned out Duterte made a private trip to Hong Kong for a weekend family vacation.

Roque earlier felt he might no longer an effective spokesman af­ter being kept in the dark about the President’s hospital visit last week. He has been criticized for supposedly lying when he denied rumors that the President was in the hospital. Duterte confirmed the next day that he indeed under­went medical tests and was wait­ing for the results.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar has confirmed that they were trying to convince Roque to accept the President’s offer to lead the Office of Press Secretary.

A draft executive order reviv­ing the OPS to consolidate the Presidential Communications Op­erations Office, Presidential Com­munications Development and Strategic Planning Office, and the Office of the Presidential Spokes­person, has been submitted to the Office of the Executive Secretary for consideration, according to An­danar. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)