Roque makes senatorial bid official

MANILA, Philippines — Party-list representative turned presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Wednesday officially filed his certificate of candidacy for senator.

Roque formalized his Senate bid days after announcing he would run as representative of the Luntiang Pilipinas party.

Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque files his COC. Roque earlier declined to disclose the post he’s running for, but later said he’s eyeing for a seat in the Senate. @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/dxBMml3p4I

— Ian Nicolas Cigaral (@ipcigaral) October 17, 2018

Last week, Roque was replaced by chief legal presidential counsel Salvador Panelo in his Palace post. The former solon earlier repeatedly expressed intention to run for senator.

He, however, said his decision to run in the 2019 midterm elections will depend on his discussion with President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte earlier asked Roque to reconsider his decision and discouraged him to run, citing that he is not favored by the military.

The president instead offered Roque the press secretary post, a post he wanted to revive.

READ: Roque goes on leave after being 'in the dark' about Duterte's whereabouts

Roque admitted that he was “taken aback” by Duterte’s statement about his chances in the incoming polls.

The president last Friday also advised Roque to just pursue the Senate seat in the next national elections as he has not yet fully decided.

But on Monday, Roque announced that he would instead run as party-list representative for the environmental group after a conversation with Duterte on Sunday evening.

He said his choice to represent an environmental group was influenced by mining-induced landslides in Itogon, Benguet and Naga, Cebu.