MANILA – Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque filed a leave of absence on Monday days after mulling resignation when he was kept out of the loop with the regard to the affairs of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Roque will not appear in Malacañang for at least a week as he gets on a “personal trip” abroad starting Wednesday, the official said in a short statement.
He added that he will not attend Duterte’s official visit to Bali, Indonesia later this week for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Leaders Gathering.
But Roque was silent with regard to the possibly of him running for senator in the 2019 midterm elections.
The filing of the certificates of candidacy starts Oct. 11.
Duterte has encouraged Roque to stay in his post as presidential spokesman, saying the latter will “not win” in the election.
But the President did not know about Roque’s decision to take a leave of absence, Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go said.
“Hindi aware si Presidente,” Go said in a statement. “But nagpasabi naman siya (Roque) na a-attend siya sa Cabinet meeting (on Monday afternoon).”
Days ago Roque hinted at considering resignation after he was not made aware of some of the affairs of the President, including his medical checkup and trip to Hong Kong.
“I am inclined to believe that perhaps I am not in the position to continue with this current function,” Roque said. “As you can see, I cannot be effective as a spokesperson unless I know everything about the President.”
He added: “Now people think I lied. I’m telling the nation I did not. I did not know. The fact that I was in the dark about the President’s health was an objective sign that I am looking for when it comes to quitting the government.”
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar had said Roque was offered to be the next Press Secretary should the Presidential Communications Operations Office be replaced by the Office of the Press Secretary./PN
