Harry Roque will file his COC for senator via substitution, according to PRP.
HARRY ROQUE — The People’s Reform Party (PRP) disclosed Friday that the Presidential spokesperson has been counted as a senatorial candidate of the political party formed by the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.
PRP vice president Rey David revealed in a press statement released Friday that the Palace spokesman was expected to join Teodoro in the PRP senatorial slate as a substitute candidate.
David was referring to former defense secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., one of the country’s political leaders who had sought to be running mate of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte had she filed for a presidential candidacy for the 2022 polls.
The Palace spokesman had been vocal about his intention to seek a post in the 12 senatorial slots up for grabs next year.
Roque decided to give up a bid for the Senate after determining that Mayor Sara decided to reject calls for her presidential bid as she renewed her bid for re-election as Davao City mayor.
Prior to this, the Palace spokesman declared that he will run for senator only if Mayor Sara would seek the presidency in 2022.
However, speculations remained high that Mayor Sara will run for president as a substitute candidate, just like what President Rodrigo Duterte did in 2016.
READ ALSO: Harry Roque Says No Hard Feelings For Sara Duterte For Choosing Not To Run For President
David said that the PRP remained hopeful that Mayor Sara will reconsider her political decision and run for the presidency in the 2022 elections.
According to David, the PRP was one of the four political parties that had committed to renew its coalition with the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), a regional party founded by Mayor Sara.
Meanwhile, an official from the Lakas-CMD (Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats) party said on Friday that they’re no longer expecting Mayor Sara to change her mind and be their standard-bearer in the 2022 elections.
According to House Deputy Speaker Prospero Pichay, the party’s secretary-general, their last conversation with Mayor Sara was before the last day of the COC filing, which was last October 8.
Pichay also said that the Lakas-CMD respected Mayor Sara’s decision to seek her third term as mayor of Davao City in next year’s polls.
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