Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque hoped that God will finally allow him to run for senator in the 2022 elections, saying God told him that someone from Central Luzon might be needed in the Senate.
Roque made the statement as he attended the ceremonial vaccination for A4 workers in Region III at Clark Freeport Zone Tuesday, July 6.
In an interview with reporters, Roque, who hails from Central Luzon, told News5 correspondent Marianne Enriquez that he was hoping God will finally allow him to pursue his botched senatorial bid, especially now that he has a "bionic heart."
"Inaasahan natin na sana payagan na ako ng Panginoon ngayon dahil kinakailangan ng mga senador ng Gitnang Luzon sa mga panahong ito (I hope that God will finally allow me to run because we need senators from Central Luzon during at this time)," he said.
Asked about what God told him, Roque said the Senate might need someone from the region.
"Ang word Niya sa akin: mukhang kinakailangan magpadala ng taga-Gitnang Luzon sa Senado (His word to me was it seems we need to send someone from Central Luzon to the Senate)," he said.
"Ako po ay taga-Gitnang Luzon, ako po ay nagdarasal dahil parang nais pa nating maglingkod (I am from Central Luzon and I am praying because I think I still want to serve the people)," he added.
According to Roque, he was still praying for guidance if he should attempt another senate run next year.
"We'll see. We'll pray," he added.
"Noong minsan kasi na nagplano ako hindi ako pinayagan ng Panginoon at nagkaroon ako ng sakit (The last time I planned to run, God did not allow me and I got sick instead)," he added.
In an interview with ANC last month, Roque said he would have to have a serious talk with his doctors about his health before he decides if he will run in the 2022 elections because he did not want another "heartbreak."
"My biggest worry is my health. The last time I filed, I had health issues and I had to withdraw. So I really need to have a serious talk with my doctors and an honest-to-goodness assessment if I'm up for it," he told ANC's "Headstart" on Wednesday, June 9.
"I don't want the same kind of heartbreak, literally and figuratively, that I experienced in 2019," he added.
The Palace official likewise said he would only run if Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will run for president in 2022.
Roque first became President Duterte's spokesman in October 2017 until he resigned the following year to run for Senate in 2019 despite Duterte saying he will not win. The President had offered him to lead the Office of the Press Secretary, a defunct office that was planned to be revived by the administration but he still pursued his candidacy.
However, in February 2019, Roque had to withdraw from the senatorial race after undergoing what he described as a "percutaneous coronary intervention following the discovery of an unstable angina coronary disease."
In a Facebook post, Roque thanked his supporters, saying he decided to run to "be of service in a way that I know I will be highly effective."
"In the days since the procedure, I have been forced to confront the reality of my physical situation and what it ultimately means for my aspirations to public service," he wrote in his post.
He added that his doctor told him that it would be "better that I opt for complete recovery before undertaking an activity like an election campaign."
Roque eventually returned as the presidential spokesman in April 2020 as the government aimed to streamline its communications and messaging efforts amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic