Roque says he wants to run for senator

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday said he wants to run for senator in the 2019 midterm elections but admitted he has no financial machinery to support his campaign.

"Am I disappointed? Of course, I am. Do I want to run? Yes, I do. But the reality is 14 months from now, you need P500 million – that’s minimum," Roque said in an online interview.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar earlier said President Rodrigo Duterte is supporting the possible Senate run of Roque, his political adviser, Francis Tolentino, and top aide Christopher "Bong" Go.

While thankful for the President's gesture, Roque said he is confronted by the reality of having to raise a lot of money for political ads alone.

"Ako naman po, I have no illusions. I know I was born a normal person. I know that possibly I would need more time kung gusto kong mag-raise ng ganiyan. Eh mayroon naman pong ibang mga pagkakataon pa. Pero it’s 12 months from now—or 14 months from now, naku hindi ko po alam kung saan kukunin ‘yang P500 million na ‘yan," he added.

The former party-list lawmaker also said he didn't plan to be a member of the House of Representatives, neither he dreamed of becoming spokesman for Duterte.

"Hindi ko naman akalain biglang mapupunta ako sa Malacañang, furthest from my dreams ‘no. Talagang it was not an option," he said.

Roque recently denied that he was using his Palace position by holding press briefings outside Malacañang to promote a supposed bid to run for senator.

The Palace official also responded to reports that the ruling PDP-Laban is open to adding opposition member and re-electionist Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV in its senatorial slate, citing the party's links to Aquino's uncle, former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.

"Ako po, tatapatin ko kayo ‘no, noong mga pagkakataon na narinig ko ang Presidente na magkalkula kung sino ang mananalo, kung sinong hindi. At kung sino ang dapat mapasama, hindi ko pa po naririnig sa dibdib ni Presidente na si Bam Aquino ay mapapasama sa administration party," Roque said.

There are 12 seats up for grabs in next year's senatorial polls. — RSJ, GMA News