Harry Roque says he will no longer run for Senator in 2019 polls

“Ikinalulungkot ko pong sabihin na akin pong inaatras ang aking pagtakbo bilang senador,” Roque said. (File photo:
Harry Roque/Facebook)

The name of former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. will not be included in the ballot anymore after he announced on Friday, February 1, that he will no longer pursue his Senate bid for the upcoming midterm elections.

“Ikinalulungkot ko pong sabihin na akin pong inaatras ang aking pagtakbo bilang senador (I’m sad to say that I’m withdrawing my Senatorial bid),” Roque said.

But with only a few months left before the May 2019 polls, what made President Rodrigo Duterte’s former mouthpiece withdraw his Senate bid?

“Kamakailan, ako ay sumailalim sa isang operasyon sa aking puso (percutaneous coronary intervention) (Recently, I have undergone a percutaneous coronary intervention),” he said in a Facebook post.

“At sa huling mga araw, kasama ang aking pamilya, ako ay napilitang harapin ang katotohanan ng aking pisikal na sitwasyon, at kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito para sa aking mga hangarin sa paglilingkod sa publiko (Lately, my family and I have been forced to face the reality of my physical situation and what it means for my aspirations to public service),” he added.

Roque then expressed his gratitude to his supporters and explained his reason why he wanted to become a lawmaker.

“Tumakbo ako para maging senador dahil gusto kong maglingkod sa isang paraan na alam kong magiging epektibo ako. Anuman ang maaaring isipin ng iba ukol sa aking pulitika, ang mga nakakita sa aking trabaho sa parehong pampubliko at pribadong sektor ay maaaring magpatunay sa kung ano ang nais kong dalhin sa Senado (I ran for senator because I wanted to be of service in a way that I know I will be highly effective. Whatever they may think of my politics, those who have seen my work in both the public and private sector can attest to what I would have brought to the Senate),” the former Palace official stressed.

He continued, “Sa kasamaang palad, sa sandaling ito, mukhang may iba pang mga plano ang Diyos (Unfortunately, at this moment, it seems that God has other plans).”

Roque, however, said he is not closing the door on running for a public position in the future.

“Asahan po ninyong magpapatuloy ang ating suporta sa Pangulo at administrasyon na ito, dahil ang nais po lamang natin ang ikabubuti ng ating bansa (Expect that I will continue to support our President and this administration because all I wanted is the best for our country),” he said.

Learning about his health condition, Roque’s supporters poured in get well soon wishes on the comment section, hoping for his fast recovery.

Facebook user VJ Claver Vicente told the former spokesman, “Too sad to know. You were the best to be a senator.”

Meanwhile, netizen Cristeta Lapitan wrote, “I would have voted for you [if you] had not been affected by your health… Please continue to serve the Filipinos in whatever capacity the best you can.”

Roque, whose name was included in the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec’s) final list of 63 senatorial candidates, has already submitted his statement of withdrawal to the poll body.

According to Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez, once Roque fulfilled the formal and procedural requirements of the withdrawal, then his name will be removed from the ballot.

Jimenez earlier said the Comelec is planning to start printing the ballots on February 2, Saturday.

He added that the names of the candidates have been forwarded to the commission’s Information technology Department (ITD) for loading on the printers.