Sa isang briefing sa Malacanang, sinabi ni Roque na nakatakda siyang maghain ng kanyang certificate of candidacy (COC) bilang first nominee ng Luntian Pilipinas partylist group.
” I had a conversation with President Duterte last night right after the book launch of President FVR and I am taking the advice of the President. While it was always my intention to file a certificate of candidacy for the position of senator, I will actually file tomorrow a certificate of nomination for the partylist under Luntian Pilipinas partylist, which is an environmental partylist group ‘no. I will be the first nominee and I will have Ms. Ciara Sotto as my second nominee,” sabi ni Roque.
Idinagdag ni Roque na pinakinggan niya ang payo ni Duterte na ang pinaka magandang opsyon para sa kanya ay bumalik sa Kamara.
“I took his advice that the best option right now is to go back to Congress, which is really was one of my options. Masikip talaga ang Senado, we have seven re-electionist and five comebacking senators ‘no in addition to the new faces ‘no and finance as I said has always been a hindrance ‘no,” ayon pa kay Roque.
Kasabay nito, nagpasalamat din si Roque sa mga miyembro ng media.
“So, with that I’d like to wish my successor Secretary Sal Panelo all the very best; and to all members of the Malacañang Press Corps, this is the temporary thirty, you will see Harry Roque bounce back into public life. So, again, thank you very much and may our paths cross again,” ayon pa kay Roque.