In his last press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Herminio “Harry” Lopez Roque Jr. announced that he is gunning for a senatorial position in the upcoming 2022 elections, on Monday, November 15, the last day of the candidate substitution process.

“Babalik po sana tayo sa Kongreso ng Pilipinas, dun po sa Kamara ng Senado…mula sa inyong pagiging spox ay nais ko po maging action man sa Senado”, Roque said.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Undersecretary Queenie Rodulfo earlier announced that Roque is set to file his COC for senator under the People’s Reform Party (PRP) after his last press briefing.

PRP political party which was founded by the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has initially counted Roque as a candidate for its senatorial slate.

Regarding his decision to run under PRP, Roque said it is better to be part of an independent party and not the administration party because he values his independence. 

However, Roque previously said he will only run for senator if Mayor Sara Duterte will seek the presidency. Despite the decision of PRP to count Roque as a senatorial candidate, he said he had to stick to his word.

Roque did not file his COC for senator during the filing period in October after Sara Duterte decided to run for reelection as Davao Mayor of which she had withdrawn when she filed for the vice presidency for the 2022 elections. 

Roque has always expressed his desire to run for senator even as he served as the presidential spokesperson.