Former Kabayan Representative and Incoming Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque cautioned President Rodrigo Duterte’s detractors, saying he will “throw blocks” at them if they “throw stones” once he officially started speaking on behalf of the president.
“If, in the past, you were able to throw stones without anyone hitting back, be warned that if you throw stones, I won’t just throw stones but hollow blocks,” Roque said in a video posted on Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson’s Facebook page, Mocha Uson Blog.
“Just wait for the adobe and hollow blocks that I will throw at you,” Roque warned critics, saying he believes in allowing “the marketplace of ideas” to manifest.
Roque encouraged the president’s critics to help the country with the “many” problems it is facing instead of “throwing stones.”
The former lawmaker also said he has not felt any negative experience with the media in the past, hoping that they will “work together.”
Roque will replace outgoing Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella after Duterte announced his appointment during his birthday celebration on October 27. He will also attend the first Cabinet meeting on Monday, November 6.
Duterte praised Roque, saying the latter will “carry my word to the public and he’s very competent.”
Roque was previously the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. He is also a human rights lawyer who represented Maguindanao massacre victims in 2009 and the family of transgender Jennifer Laude, who was killed by a U.S. Marine in 2014, among others.
Roque said in a statement that he will not compromise his values in speaking on behalf of the president.
“By accepting this position, I am not condoning the violence surrounding the government’s anti-drug campaign,” the former solon said.
On why Roque replaced Abella, the president was allegedly dissatisfied on how Abella handled and answered several issues confronting his administration.