Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque is set to continue serving as President Duterte's mouthpiece after backing out on his Senate bid in 2022.
In a text message, Roque reiterated that he will only run for senator if presidential daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio vies for the presidency.
"That's what I declared," he told reporters in a text message Friday evening, Oct. 8.
He likewise echoed Duterte-Carpio's statement that there will be "no substitution" as far as her candidacy next year is concerned.
Roque said in June that he would only pursue his Senate bid if the presidential daughter would run for president. He reiterated it this week, saying he has hinged his political future to that of the lady mayor's.
However, Duterte-Carpio did not give in to her supporters' clamor for her to run for the Palace seat in the May 2022 polls up to the last minute of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) at 5 p.m. Friday.
Instead, it was former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa who filed his COC for president under PDP-Laban. He is also a member of Duterte-Carpio's Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) party.
But this development was still enough to fuel rumors that Duterte-Carpio will eventually file for Dela Rosa's substitution, thus inserting herself in the presidential race. Candidates can be substituted until Nov. 15.
Duterte-Carpio has declared that she wanted to finish her third term as the mayor of Davao City. She filed her COC for reelection on Saturday.