Roque wants a deputy spokesperson to serve as 'moderating force'

TOKYO – Incoming presidential spokesman Harry Roque wants a deputy spokesperson who will serve as a “moderating force” to what he expects to be an “explosive” tandem of him and President Rodrigo Duterte.

“It has to be someone who is my opposite. The President and I are alike. We might generate fireworks every day,” Roque told reporters here on Tuesday.   

“I need a moderating force,” he added.

Known for his acid tongue criticisms critiques on his rivals, Roque will formally assume as the spokesman of the tough-talking Duterte next week. But he is scheduled to have his first press briefing with the Malacañang Press Corps today on Thursday.

Roque said tapping a lawyer as deputy presidential spokesperson has its advantages as many controversial issues have legal implications.

“Let’s face it. Even matters of international relations have issues of international law. I think that’s the added advantage of having a lawyer as spokesperson,” he said.

But in order to have a deputy, Roque has to convince senators to provide the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson (OPS) its own budget.

Roque, an outgoing nominee of the Kabayan party list, said the 2018 national budget passed by the House of Representatives did not allot funds for the OPS.

“If you talk about a deputy (presidential spokesperson), you’re actually talking of a different position which is not in the budget right now,” he said.

Roque noted that the office of former presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella was under the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

“I’m now a separate secretary under the Office of the President…I don’t know what will happen. The budget is still with the Senate. I’ll have to confer with the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) and OP (Office of the President) on how they want to do it,” Roque said.

“I’d like to have the same kind of assistance that all other secretaries have which means I want at least two undersecretaries and a couple of assistant secretaries to assist me although I was assured that all staff support will be given by the Presidential Communications Operations Office,” he added.

The presidential spokesperson held a Cabinet rank during previous administrations. When Duterte assumed office last year, the post was given to Abella, who was just given a rank of undersecretary.

Some previous presidential spokespersons had deputies who carried the rank of undersecretary. There were two deputy presidential spokespersons during the time of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and one during the presidency of Benigno Aquino III.

Among those who served as deputy presidential spokespersons were Lorelei Fajardo, Anthony Golez, Gary Olivar and Charito Planas during the Arroyo administration and Abigail Valte during the time of Aquino.

In an earlier interview, Roque said he expects his tandem with Duterte to be “explosive” but is optimistic that he would have a good relationship with the media.

“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,” the fiery Roque said last Monday.