Roque on 2019 senatorial polls: ‘I want to run but I have no money’

FILE: Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. ( YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA – Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday admitted he wants to run for senator but has no financial machinery to raise some PHP500 million for the 2019 midterm elections campaign.

“Do I want to run? Yes, I do. But the reality is, 14 months from now, you need 500 million (pesos). That’s minimum,” Roque said in a Mindavote Live interview in Davao City.

He said he is thankful to President Rodrigo R. Duterte for expressing support for his possible presidential bid.

“I’m so thankful to our President.

But the real problem is I have no money” he said, adding that 14 months are not enough for him to raise funds for TV ads that are crucial to a candidate’s winnability.

“I have no illusions. I know I was born a normal person. I know that possibly I would need more time if I want to raise that money. Anyway, there is still another chance,” Roque said.

He further said he is disappointed with the country’s “political system” wherein rich candidates are allowed to spend so much money that would assure their victory in the polls.

“Candidates should not be allowed to spend so much in an election because it would mean that only rich candidates or those who are supported by individuals investing in politics can run in election,” the former party-list representative said.

He said election campaigns should focus on the candidates’ ability to answers all questions “so that we can get best to lead our country”.

For now, Roque said he wants to concentrate on his task as spokesperson of the President.

Roque, an international law expert, is the concurrent presidential adviser on human rights.