Roque returns, replaces Panelo as Duterte spokesman

MANILA, Philippines — He’s back.

Lawyer Harry Roque is returning as President Duterte’s spokesman, as Malacañang seeks a “new tack on messaging” amid the coronavirus pandemic.

He will replace Salvador Panelo, who took over before Roque decided to run for senator.

Roque, however, withdrew his senatorial bid days before the start of the campaign because of a heart condition.

Panelo recently received flak for suggesting that eating bananas and gargling with salt water might work to fend off the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID 19. Health experts belied this.

“The Palace confirms that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has offered the position of presidential spokesperson to Atty. Harry Roque who, in turn, has accepted the same,” Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo, who will remain as chief legal counsel, said the present crisis “calls for a new tack on messaging.” He did not elaborate.
“The Office of the President welcomes Secretary Roque back to the Cabinet and wishes him all the best as he assumes the role of the Chief Executive’s spokesman, a post he has already held in the past,” Panelo said.

“The Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel will be working together with the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, as well as with all the departments, in pursuing the national policy of the government, specially on COVID-19, and thereafter,” Panelo added. 
Roque, a former lawmaker and law professor at the University of the Philippines, was named the President’s spokesman in October 2017, replacing Ernesto Abella, who was transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
He had previously handled high-profile cases, serving as lawyer of the family of transgender Jeffrey Laude, who was killed by American serviceman Joseph Scott Pemberton in Olongapo in 2014.

He also represented the families of the victims of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, the single deadliest attack against journalists, the family of slain environmental activist Gerry Ortega, and comfort women who were sexually abused by Japanese soldiers during World War II.
During his stint as Duterte’s spokesman, Roque was criticized for making an about face on various issues, including his support for the Rome Statute, a treaty that created the International Criminal Court, and for rebel soldier group Magdalo, which has been critical of Duterte’s policies. 
Days before he stepped down as presidential spokesman, Roque drew flak for denying that Duterte went to a hospital. The President later announced that he went to Cardinal Santos Medical Center for endoscopy.

‘I’m back!’

Roque did not think twice when Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea called in the evening of Easter Sunday to offer him his old post.

“I am now back with the President,” Roque quipped.

After his stint at Malacañang, he tended to his Miniong Farm to while away his time in agriculture.

He then found himself delivering at least five lechon (roasted pigs) and three thousand eggs or 100 trays to stranded students at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños in Laguna before noon yesterday.

He had to first deliver the lechon and the eggs to the students as promised, he said.

Roque partook of the lechon which he shared with the students for lunch yesterday before he ran off to Malago Clubhouse in Palace grounds.

“I promised them 10 lechon, and I still owe the students five more lechon,” Roque said.

The lechon and eggs he gives to various groups actually come from his farm where he has a piggery, a poultry and also a strawberry farm.

Roque said he has been giving away lechon, Jolibee Chickenjoy and baked goodies whenever he can, especially with the onset of the enhanced community quarantine.