TOKYO — What will happen if a tough-talking president replaces a mild-mannered former pastor with a fiery litigator as his spokesman?
It would be “explosive,” according to incoming presidential spokesman Harry Roque, who will succeed Ernesto Abella as President Rodrigo Duterte’s mouthpiece next week.
“I think it's because I’m even more controversial than him (Duterte) so together we could be explosive. I warned the president about that and he says fine,” Roque told reporters here last Monday.
READ: Tough-talking Harry Roque now Duterte's spokesperson
Duterte was tight-lipped on why he is replacing Abella, saying it was a “personal decision.” But previous reports said Duterte was not satisfied with the way his tirades against the European Union and his lower survey numbers were handled.
Unlike Abella, who was only placed in the limelight when he became presidential spokesman, Roque is used to facing members of the media as a human rights lawyer.
He represented the family of slain transgender Jeffrey Laude, who was killed by American serviceman Joseph Scott Pemberton in Olongapo in 2014. That year, the military filed a disbarment complaint against Roque after Laude’s partner Michelle Suselbeck and sister Marilou tried to enter Pemberton’s detention facility in Camp Aguinaldo.
Roque also served as the lawyer of the victims of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, considered the deadliest attack against journalists. He was also the legal counsel of the family of slain environmental activist Gerry Ortega and comfort women who were sexually abused by Japanese troops during World War II.
Controversies also hounded Roque when he became the representative of Kabayan party-list at the House of Representatives. Members of the party tried to remove from his post because of his supposed “dishonorable behavior” during a hearing on the illegal drugs trade inside the New Bilibid Prison.
READ: Roque to Duterte critics: If you throw stones, I'll throw hollow blocks
Roque fought back by seeking the expulsion of his party-mate Rep. Ron Salo from the House for supposedly using state resources for “personal vendetta.”
“I’m not just a spokesperson. I’m a trained litigator. If I have to, I will defend and with very much passion,” Roque said.
Roque sees good relationship with the media
While known for his tirades and his outspoken opinions, Roque does not expect an antagonistic relationship with members of the media.
“I’ve always believed in the free marketplace of ideas so let the free market of ideas flourish,” he said.
“I have been working with the media for the past 15 years at the very least. I’ve represented media in libel cases. I’ve represented heirs of media victims when they were killed. I look forward to this kind of partnership,” he added.
Roque said he has established a “working relationship” with the media and has clear understanding of the importance of freedom of expression and the press.
READ: Abella on Roque’s appointment as spokesperson: ‘He’s more than adequate’
He said he would continue to advocate human rights as a spokesman of Duterte, who has been accused of endorsing the summary execution of drug suspects.
“You cannot change overnight. You cannot be a completely different person. I am the same person. My convictions remain the same. I accepted the post thinking this could be the best avenue for me to influence this administration on matters involving human rights,” he said.
“As long as I have questions to answer from the media on human rights, I would continue asking them (security forces) questions as well,” he added.
Roque said he has no mandate to sway the opinions of those who are critical of the administration.
“My mandate as an advocate of human rights is to protect and promote human rights,” he said.
Roque said he would not implement personnel changes in the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson until after Christmas.
“I'd like to absorb first the staff of (Undersecretary) Abella until the transition. I mean come on, it’s Christmas so let it be. Let them get their 13th month pay and let them get whatever bonuses they can get,” he said.
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