Harry Roque to return as presidential spokesperson

Lawyer Harry Roque is going back to Malacañang.

On Monday, Roque confirmed to GMA News Online that he will be returning as the Palace spokesperson.

Roque said he will be officially reporting to work at 4 p.m. Monday.

Asked why he was reassigned to his former post, Roque said: "Don't know the reason as only President Rodrigo Roa Duterte knows."

Outgoing presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Roque was tapped to serve in government again because "the present crisis requires a new tack in messaging."

Panelo said he will continue working with Duterte.

"Harry Roque will be back to his previous post. I’m still the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel. I will be performing the same role as the President’s chief lawyer and issuing statements as such," Panelo said in a separate message.

Roque was named presidential spokesperson in October 2017 and assumed his post early November. He resigned in October 2018 to seek a Senate seat, and Panelo took over the post.

Roque later on withdrew his candidacy for the national elections, citing health reasons. Prior to his first appointment in the Palace, Roque was a party-list solon at the House of Representatives. — with Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News