Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday held his last press conference as President Rodrigo Duterte's mouthpiece before filing his candidacy for senator.
Roque, a former human rights lawyer, announced during his last Palace press briefing plans to run for senator. On Saturday, he lost his bid for a seat in the UN's International Law Commission.
"Ito na po ang huling araw na makakasama niyo ako bilang presidential spox, IATF spox, at spox ng bayan," Roque said.
"Mula po inyong pagiging spox ay nais ko pong maging action man sa Senado," he said.
Roque previously said his Senate run is dependent on Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio's presidential bid but the President's daughter eventually decided to run for vice president along with former Sen. Bongbong Marcos.
Roque first took on the job as Duterte's mouthpiece in 2017 but resigned in 2018 to run for senator. He eventually withdrew his plans, citing health reasons.
He returned to the Duterte administration last year and replaced Salvador Panelo, who is also running for senator in the 2022 elections.
Roque's Senate run came after he lost his bid for a seat in the International Law Commission, which was heavily opposed by several human rights groups in the country.
Prior to becoming Duterte's spokesperson, Roque was representative of the Kabayan party-list group in the House of Representatives.