Abella axed; Roque in

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has fired Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella confirming rumors of replacing the latter. Kabayan party-list representative Harry Roque replaced Abella.

The President made the announcement during the birthday celebration of Roque held in Davao City on Friday, October 27.

In a speech, the Chief Executive said Roque would join the Cabinet meeting on Monday, November 6, to "make his entrance dramatic."

Duterte said "He is no longer a congressman; he is now a secretary," adding, "to make his entrance dramatic, he will be attending the first Cabinet meeting on Monday."

In a press conference held Friday morning, Abella's assistant China Jocson said the presidential spokesman was confronted with "pressing matters."

Duterte failed to cite any reasons for Abella's dismissal.

He did not mention if he will be giving Abella another position in the government.

This developed following earlier report by veteran journalist Ellen Torsedillas that the President was not satisfied by Abella's performance when his latest satisfaction and trust ratings declined by two digits in the Social weather Stations survey.

Duterte said Roque would fit as his spokesperson since they both speak "playfully."

"To get the message clear, I said, Harry will fit because we both speak in a playful language," he said.

Roque, in a radio interview on Saturday morning, said he would assume his new post as Duterte's spokesperson starting November 6, after joining the President in his Japan trip as part of the Philippine delegation.

The incoming presidential spokesperson said he also called Abella and apologized for replacing him.

"I called him to apologize because I was also unaware that this opportunity will come. Secretary Abella said he understands [the situation]," Roque said.

Roque, the House Deputy Minority Leader, is a human rights lawyer who represented the victims of the 2009 Ampatuan massacre; the Malaya Lolas, victims of systematic rape and abuse by the Japanese Imperial Army; family of slain transgender Jennifer Laude; and family of murdered Palawan-based environmentalosy and media practitioner Gerry Ortega.

Abella met then Davao City Mayor Duterte when the former was kidnapped by bandits in 1996. (SunStar Philippines)

*The date of the cabinet meeting is on Monday, November 6 and not Monday, October 30. Our apologies

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