Palace spox Harry Roque: ‘There are Cabinet members who I absolutely abhor’
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque gets candid in an interview with News5’s Deretsahan host Luchi Cruz-Valdes about his working relationship with some members of the Cabinet.
In a clip of the remote interview, Valdes asked Roque, “How much unity is there really within the Cabinet?”
“Mayroon talagang napaka-gagaling,” Roque emphatically said.
He added, “Of course, there are Cabinet members who I absolutely abhor and will not have anything to do with.”
“Who?” Valdes interjected.
Roque replied, “Ayaw” and heartily laughed.
He then gestured, “Ganito nalang, bleh!”
“Ganoon naman talaga. Pero ako nga, authenticity, hindi ako nakikipag-plastikan sa kanila. Bahala sila,” Roque said.
When asked by a reporter during a virtual briefing about the Cabinet member who he “abhors,” Roque dismissed the question and said, “Pang-That’s Entertainment ‘yan. Hindi yan pang-Presidential press briefing.”
Also in the Deretsahan interview, Valdes asked Roque, “Can you honestly say that this is such a good government?”
He said, “President Duterte is a very good President. His heart is where it should be. The Duterte influence is binigyan niya ng premium ‘yung authenticity, walang ka-plastikan. I think he is the President that we need right now.”
Roque also took a swipe at former senator and DILG secretary Mar Roxas, who lost to Duterte during the 2016 Presidential election.
“Mantakin mo naman, can you really imagine a Roxas leading this country amidst the many trials that we have had—from COVID pandemic to China. ‘Yun ang hindi ko maisip kung Mar Roxas became President, knowing ‘yung track record niya sa mga pagsusubok sa Yolanda at sa Mamasapano,” he said.
When asked if he has plans to run in the 2022 Presidential election, Roque said, “Sa ngayon, I’m constantly praying and asking for God’s will.”
Watch the clip of Roque's Deretsahan interview here:
Banner images by KJ Rosales/The Philippine STAR and screenshot from Deretsahan via The Philippine STAR