Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (File photo)
MANILA – Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque welcomed Thursday the polling firm Pulse Asia’s latest survey results which revealed that he is the most approved member of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet.
In a virtual press conference, Roque admitted that he was “surprised” that he, along with Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, earned the highest approval scores in the survey conducted by Pulse Asia from Nov. 23 to Dec. 2, 2020.
“I am humbled and at the same time, thankful dahil ang mga Pilipino, hindi po naniniwala sa mga naninira sa administrasyon ng ating Presidente (because Filipinos are just ignoring the detractors of the administration of President [Rodrigo Duterte]),” Roque said.
Pulse Asia has yet to release the official results of its survey, but Roque noted that he was named as the “most approved member of the Cabinet.”
Roque thanked the public for showing appreciation to his performance.
“Personal ko pong pinasasalamatan ang lahat po nating mga kababayan sa inyong tiwala at suporta na inyong binigay sa akin (I am personally thanking our fellow countrymen for trusting and supporting me),” he said.
Roque was elated that many Filipinos continue to see him as an effective presidential spokesperson.
He also vowed to double his efforts to be an effective mouthpiece of Duterte.
“Now, tinitiyak ko po ang patuloy nating pagbibigay ng tama, napapanahon, at maaasahang impormasyon tungkol sa Pangulo at sa kaniyang adminsitrasyon (I assure the public that I will continue to provide accurate, timely, and reliable information about the President and his administration),” he said.
Roque likewise said he would remain straightforward despite the criticisms he is receiving.
“Doon sa mga hindi po matanggap ang aking pananalita, pasensiya na po, diretso po akong mag-salita. Walang palamuti, walang paliguy-ligoy. (For those who do not like the way I convey my message, sorry, but I’m straightforward. I don’t beat around the bush). I say it as it is. At maraming salamat po sa ating mga kababayan na tinatanggap ako (I thanked those who accepted me) for who I am,” he said.
Roque was first appointed as Duterte’s spokesperson in October 2017 but stepped down in October 2018 to run for a Senate seat. He, however, later decided to withdraw from the senatorial race during the 2019 mid-term elections due to health reasons.
In April 2020, Roque returned as Duterte’s spokesperson. (PNA)
