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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider No intention to belittle PDP-Laban party, says Roque

No intention to belittle PDP-Laban party, says Roque

Published Jul 15, 2021 03:08 pm

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque is not about to burn bridges with the ruling PDP-Laban party led by his former law classmate Senator Aquilino Pimentel III.

President Spokesman Harry Roque (File photo/Malacañang)

Roque clarified Thursday that he was not trying to belittle the administration party, citing his friendship with Pimentel.

The Palace official earlier said the PDP-Laban party would be reduced to a "jeepney-sized" group if they expel President Duterte as chairman of the political party.

Pimentel later commented that he was not insulted by Roque's remark but claimed the Palace official wanted to "hitch" a ride with the party in the past. The PDP-Laban stalwart did not mind ending up with a few members as long as the party sticks to its valued principles.

"Unang-una po, matagal ko ng kaibigan si Senator Koko. Ka-eskwela ko 'yan. Sabay kami nag-graduate sa (First of all, Senator Koko and I are longtime friends. We were school mates. We graduated at the same time from) UP College of Law. Classmates. So I do not intend to belittle PDP-Laban," Roque said during a televised press briefing Thursday, July 15.

Roque also claimed that he supported Pimentel's father, the late Senator Aquino Pimentel Jr., when he ran for vice president in 1992.. He recalled his support in "every occasion" whenever the elder Pimentel and son ran for public office.

The elder Pimentel co-founded the PDP-Laban party in 1980s. The group has been the ruling party since President Duterte was elected in 2016.

"For the first time in my life, na-ano pa kami, na-anti riot squad pa kami sa PICC noon kami nag-rally in support of his candidacy (For the first time in my life, we faced an anti-riot squad at PICC when held a rally in support his candidacy)," Roque said.

"I don't think Koko Pimentel meant any harsh words for me because I refuse to believe that in the first place," he added.

Roque said he has been a "card-carrying member" of the People's Reform Party since 2019. The political group was founded by the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.

Roque earlier said he was still pondering on whether to run for senator in next year's elections. He admitted that health and budget concerns were major considerations before he joins the Senate race.

Related Tags

President Duterte Harry Roque Aquilino Pimentel III Jeepney PDP-Laban party
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