Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque will speak personally with the Dutertes in what can be described as a last ditch effort to save his senatorial bid in next year's elections.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (Photo from Harry Roque's Facebook)

Roque, in a virtual press conference Monday, Nov. 8, said he expects to have a word with President Duterte as well as presidential daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

"Patapos na po ang aking facility quarantine. So inaasahan ko po na makausap nang personal si Presidente at si Mayor Sara Duterte (I'm about to complete my facility quarantine. So I expect to speak with the President and Mayor Sara Duterte in person)," he said.

The context for Roque's remarks is the deadline for the substitution of candidates for the May 2022 polls, which will lapse on Nov. 15. This means that this week will make or break Roque's candidacy.

The filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) came and went last month, with Roque opting not to file despite his widely-known dream of becoming a senator. This was because Duterte-Carpio didn't file candidacy for the presidency.

The Palace spokesman has previously said that he would only join the Senate race if Duterte-Carpio runs for president in the upcoming polls.

But last week, Roque was once again hopeful for a "miracle" that Duterte-Carpio would change her mind. He even cited a new motivation for running for senator.

Roque's facility quarantine was the result of his recent trip to the United States (US). He said that he visited both New York and California.

For Roque and Duterte-Carpio's to insert themselves in the Senate and Palace race, respectively, they must both substitute poll hopefuls who successfully filed their COCs before the Nov. 15 deadline set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

#last ditch

Roque to speak with Dutertes in last ditch effort to salvage Senate bid