Trillanes, Roque affirm friendship amid verbal jabs

Despite being on the opposite sides of the political fence, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and presidential spokesperson Harry Roque affirmed Wednesday their friendship from way back.

At the start of the Senate hearing on the bill seeking to penalize government personnel spreading fake news, Trillanes acknowledged the presence of government officials, including Roque.

“Secretary Harry Roque, the presidential spokesperson. Mr. Secretary, alam ko may perceived (conflict) tayo pero just for the record, kaibigan ko ‘yan, si Secretary Harry Roque kahit na ang tingin niya sa akin, ano ‘yun, demonyo? Hindi naman?” said Trillanes.

Trillanes and Roque were smiling as the former said: “So anyway, I’m glad that you are here.”

The presidential spokesperson also gave his warm regards to the senator whom he criticized in several instances before.

“Mr. Senator, Mr. Chairman, tama po ‘yun matagal tayong magkaibigan na at malalim po ang ating samahan at gaya ng aking sinabi kanina, minsan po kinakailangan lang mag-self defense pero tuloy po ang ating pagkakaibigan,” he said.

Before the start of the hearing, Roque approached Trillanes, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, shook his hand and had a brief chat.

Roque said he is present at the hearing in his personal capacity.

“Lilinawin ko lang po na ako ay nagkokomento sa aking personal na kapasidad dahil bilang spokesperson ng pangulo, ang trabaho ng pangulo ay ipatupad ang mga batas. Ang posisyon namin d’yan  we respect the sole prerogative of Congress to enact legislation. Nonetheless nandito ako bilang former professor of constitutional law and as a long time advocate of freedom of expression,” he said.

Roque opposed the passage of any law against fake news saying it violates the Constitution. — RSJ, GMA News