Duterte praises Roque: He is a fighter for human rights

President Rodrigo Duterte was all praises for his former spokesperson Harry Roque who is seeking a senatorial post next year, saying that the latter is a "fighter for human rights."

In a speech during the celebration of MassKara Festival in Bacolod on Saturday, Duterte seemed to have retracted his statement that Roque has little chances of winning a Senate seat, and even expressed understanding for the latter's initially indecisive stance to run or not.

"He [kept] on changing not really because he is not a decided fellow but apparent though — apparently every day he weighs his chances or the averages of is he winning or losing," Duterte said.

"But I think na kung may isa kang senador na ganito, he is a fighter for human rights," he added.

Duterte said that when Roque was practicing law, the latter was used to criticizing him.

"I took it as part of the territory of being there in the office. Hindi ko naman kalaban sa politika. Nothing personal but criticizing me, of course you can," he said.

The President earlier told Roque that he would not win in the senatorial elections, saying that he would instead offer him another post.

Despite this statement, Roque had wished for Duterte's endorsement in his senatorial bid.

"Sana po. I would wish that the President will endorse me. Until now, he is the best President under existing conditions," Roque said when he filed his certificate of candidacy for senator last October 17. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News