Welcome to Rappler, please select your default country:   Philippines   Indonesia
  • PhilippinesIndonesia
  • Coupons
  •   Rappler Shop
  • Login to Rappler
  • Home
  • News
    • Philippines
    • #PHvote 2019
    • World
    • #BalikBayan
    • Science & Nature
  • Video
    • Newscast
    • Shows
    • Reports
    • Documentary
    • Specials
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Brighter Life
    • Industries
    • Money
    • Features
    • Specials
  • Newsbreak
    • Investigative
    • In-depth
    • Rappler IQ
    • Inside Track
    • Fact Check
    • Videos & Podcasts
  • MovePH
    • Issues
    • #Agos
    • #BudgetWatch
    • #HungerProject
    • Community
    • IMHO
    • Rappler Plus
  • Views
    • Thought Leaders
    • iSpeak
    • Rappler Blogs
    • #AnimatED
    • Rappler Newsletters
  • Life & Style
    • Food
    • Career
    • Travel
    • Specials
    • #PugadBaboy
  • Entertainment
    • Entertainment News
    • TV
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Special Coverage
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Boxing
    • Football
    • Other Sports
    • University Sports
  • Tech
    • News
    • Features
    • Reviews
    • Hands on
    • Social Media
  • Hustle
  • BrandRap
    • Finance & Industries
    • Health & Self
    • Lifestyle
    • Tech & Innovation
    • Advertise
    • GoodRap
    • #Detours
    • #RejectED to #CreditED
  • COVID-19
  • Jobs
  • Coupons
  • Rappler Shop
  • News
    • Philippines
    • #PHvote 2019
    • World
    • #BalikBayan
    • Science & Nature
  • Video
    • Newscast
    • Shows
    • Reports
    • Documentary
    • Specials
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Brighter Life
    • Industries
    • Money
    • Features
    • Specials
  • Newsbreak
    • Investigative
    • In-depth
    • Rappler IQ
    • Inside Track
    • Fact Check
    • Videos & Podcasts
  • MovePH
    • Issues
    • #Agos
    • #BudgetWatch
    • #HungerProject
    • Community
    • IMHO
    • Rappler Plus
  • Views
    • Thought Leaders
    • iSpeak
    • Rappler Blogs
    • #AnimatED
    • Rappler Newsletters
  • Life & Style
    • Food
    • Career
    • Travel
    • Specials
    • #PugadBaboy
  • Entertainment
    • Entertainment News
    • TV
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Special Coverage
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Boxing
    • Football
    • Other Sports
    • University Sports
  • Tech
    • News
    • Features
    • Reviews
    • Hands on
    • Social Media
  • Hustle
  • BrandRap
    • Finance & Industries
    • Health & Self
    • Lifestyle
    • Tech & Innovation
    • Advertise
    • GoodRap
    • #Detours
    • #RejectED to #CreditED
  • COVID-19
    • ABOUT RAPPLER

      Welcome to Rappler, a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitally fuelled actions for social change. Rappler comes from the root words "rap" (to discuss) + "ripple" (to make waves).

      Read more

      Rappler's 2018 Board
      Privacy Statement
      Contact Us
      Rappler's Founding Board
      Terms of Use
      Advertise With Us
      Rappler Team
      Rappler Indonesia Team
      Comment Moderation Policy
      Rappler Index of Topics
      Archives
      Job Openings
      OTHER CONTENT
      Rappler editorials • Weather Forecast Philippines • Rappler Investigative stories • War on drugs • Project Agos for disaster preparedness • Rappler Live Jam • Beauty pageant series • World Press Freedom Day 2018 • Virtual Visita Iglesia • Facebook data scandal • Rappler Internships • Senatorial election results 2019 • #PHVOTE • Senatorial election results 2019 • Party-list election results 2019 • Local election results 2019 •
21MATCH URL: https://assets.rappler.com/14306969F1414C24A2EA8D402F10869A/img/71D01567256C4D06A4F26C5263B44741/roque-duterte-header.jpg

Duterte Dictionary: How Harry Roque interprets what the President says

desktop

Rappler reviews how Presidential Spokesperson Roque valiantly tried to soften the controversial statements and actions of President Rodrigo Duterte


By Rappler Investigative Team

Published 9:00 AM, June 29, 2018

21MATCH URL: https://assets.rappler.com/14306969F1414C24A2EA8D402F10869A/img/2296AA691B7244E0AAE8624B3F83311E/roque-duterte-carousel.jpg
Thank you for voting

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

Hello!

MANILA, Philippines – Two years into the Duterte administration, the so-called “creative interpretation” of controversial statements and actions of President Rodrigo Duterte continues.

It often stems from an impromptu speech that carries controversial lines not quite expected from an official occupying the country’s highest government post. The controversial pronouncements often draw the ire of the public and make headlines in both foreign and local media.

As a result, Duterte’s spokespersons and apologists do their best to clarify or interpret what the President said and meant. (READ:'Creative imagination' under Duterte, or interpreting what he says)

These days, the task of clarifying Duterte’s statements falls on the shoulders of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. The former human rights lawyer has been widely criticized for taking positions contrary to what he had advocated for before joining government. (READ: Harry Roque pirouettes for Duterte)

He told Rappler that he has “ceased to have personal opinions” as he speaks for the President now. And speak for the President he does – even to the extent of, according to critics, bending and twisting words in an effort to at least make the President’s declarations less controversial.

We review some of the most controversial statements of the President during his second year in office and how Roque valiantly tried to soften them.

Click the Next or Previous buttons below to navigate. You may also swipe left or right.


ON SHOOTING VAGINAS


ON CHOOSING THE NEXT OMBUDSMAN


ON PHILIPPINES AS CHINA'S PROVINCE


ON PHILIPPINES AND CHINA 'CO-OWNERSHIP'


ON 'VISITING' BENHAM RISE


ON BARTERING WITH CHINESE COAST GUARDS


ON BLAMING THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION


ON ATTACKING THE JUDICIARY


ON NOT GIVING JUSTICE TO DRUG WAR VICTIMS


ON CALLING GOD 'STUPID'


While ​the spokesperson is there to “provide clarity” to the remarks of the President, all while protecting the interest of the office, political analyst Aries Arugay warned against twisting statements too much.

“Being a spin doctor might be necessary sometimes but it should not be the primary preoccupation of Roque,” he told Rappler. “He cannot put words into the President’s mouth and analyze his remarks.”

But what would make an effective spokesperson? According to Arugay, he or she must be in sync with how the mind of the President works and with his worldview of issues.

“This is why the spokesperson must be a close aide/adviser of the President and have a sense of his mentality,” Arugay said. “It can be asked, to what extent does Roque know Duterte?”

Duterte’s previous statements about Roque show a favorable perception. Before he was formally appointed spokesperson, Duterte said: "To get the message clear, sabi ko (I said), Harry will fit – kasi medyo malikot ang bunganga namin (because we use playful language).” (READ: One month of Harry Roque as Presidential Spokesman)

This was a clear departure from Roque’s predecessor, ex-pastor Ernesto Abella, whose job performance allegedly did not sit well with Duterte.

The former presidential spokesperson, who once said the President may have been "fed the wrong information,” also urged the media to use their "creative imagination" when trying to make sense of what he says.

Unlike Abella, Roque is more outspoken and is not afraid to use strong language – a reflection of the “macho image” Duterte demonstrates in his public speeches.

Should he apologize for Duterte’s blunders? He may not because it would mean that the President himself is apologizing, according to Arugay.

But given his rhetorical style, Arugay said that the Palace should see the importance of decent communication.

“It’s important given Duterte's propensity for off-the-cuff remarks and dislike of reading long speeches,” he said.

“Whatever the political goals, communications provide predictability, certainty, and consistency of decisions and policies for an administration that claims it wants to change the status quo,” Arugay added. – Jodesz Gavilan, Sofia Tomacruz, and Cesar Garcia/Rappler.com

Filed under:Duterte Year 2•Duterte Year 2 in-depth reports•Harry Roque•Presidential Statements•Rodrigo Duterte
ABOUT RAPPLER

Welcome to Rappler, a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitally fuelled actions for social change. Rappler comes from the root words "rap" (to discuss) + "ripple" (to make waves).

Read more

  • Rappler's Founding Board
  • Rappler's 2017-2018 Board
  • Rappler's 2019 Board of Directors
  • Rappler Team
  • Rappler Indonesia Team
  • Rappler Index of Topics
  • Archives
  • X
  • Privacy statement
  • Terms of Use
  • Comment moderation Policy
  • Job Openings
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement
SECTIONS
  • News
  • Video
  • Business
  • Newsbreak
  • MovePH
  • Views
  • Life & Style
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Live
  • BrandRap
  • Weather in the Philippines
  • Disasters
  • Travel destinations
  • Coupons
  • #PHVOTE
  • Senatorial election results 2019
  • Party-list election results 2019
  • Local election results 2019
COMMUNITY
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Android
  • iOS

Error

An unknonw error has occurred. Please try again later.

Login


Email:

Password:

Register for a RAPPLER Account

Thank You.
View your profile page here OR
Click close to continue.

Fields with * are required.

Email*:

Password*:

First Name:

Last Name:

Birthday:

Gender:

I've read the Rappler privacy statement, site use policy, comment moderation policy

Update your information

Fields with * are required.

Thank You.
You have successfully updated your account.

First Name:
Last Name:
Email:
Birthday:
(YYYY-MM-DD)
City/Municipality:
Province:
Gender:
Contact Number:
School/Work: