Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque is not giving up on his dream of becoming a senator, after all.
The People’s Reform Party disclosed Friday, Oct. 15 that Roque, who did not file a certificate of candidacy (COC) during the October 8 deadline set by the Commission on Elections, has been counted as a senatorial candidate of the political party formed by the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.
“Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque is expected to join Teodoro in the PRP Senate slate as a substitute candidate,” revealed Rey David, PRP vice president, in a press statement released on Friday, Oct. 15.
David was referring to former defense secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.,one of the country’s political leaders who had sought to be running mate of Davao City Sara Duterte-Carpio had she filed for a presidential candidacy for the 2022 national elections.
Roque has been vocal about his intention to seek a post in the 12 Senate slots up for grabs next year.
The presidential spokesman decided to give up a bid for the Senate after determining that Mayor Duterte-Carpio decided to reject calls for her presidential bid. She renewed her bid for re-election as mayor of Davao City.
Previous to this, Roque declared he will run only for senator if the presidential daughter would seek the presidency in 2022.
However, speculations remained high that Mayor Duterte-Carpio will join the presidential derby as a substitute candidate, just like what her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, did in 2016.
The PRP remained hopeful Duterte-Carpio will reconsider her political decision and run for the presidency, David said.
He stated that the PRP is one of the four political parties that had committed to renew its coalition with the Hugpong ng Pagbabago, a regional party founded by Duterte-Carpio.
“We in the PRP are hoping that Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte will heed the call of the people who have given their trust and support for her in presidential surveys,” the party official stressed.
Meanwhile, David revealed that the PRP will actively participate in next year’s elections by fielding a total 1,238 candidates for various national and local posts.
The PRP official said the revived political party is in “the process of consolidating and strengthening the party and its line up of candidates from the senatorial down to kagawad.” Among those running under the PRP are Vanessa Aumentado, who is seeking to replace her husband Bohol 2nd District Rep. Erico Aumentado; Margo Herrera, for 1st district of Bohol and Rep. Rogelio Neil Roque who filed for governor of Bukidnon.
Pasig City Vice Mayor Christian Bernardo is running as PRP mayoralty bet against incumbent Mayor Vico Sotto.