Harry Roque has filed his COC for senator running under the People’s Reform Party (PRP) of the late Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago | via @rongagalac #Halalan2019 pic.twitter.com/nXgTkDPws5

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) October 17, 2018

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio lobbied to help former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque secure a nomination to run for senator, the former Palace mouthpiece said Wednesday.

Roque on Tuesday told Palace reporters that he would run as a representative of Luntiang Pilipinas party-list, but admitted the following day that he had been in talks with late senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago's People's Reform Party for a possible senatorial bid.

"Ang gumawa ng paraan ay si Mayor Sara. It was mayor Sara who arranged for me to have a CONA (Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance) from People's Reform Party," Roque told reporters after he filed his certificate of candidacy.

"Two weeks ago sinabi ni Mayor Sara na nakapagusap na sila ni Sec. Jun Santiago about a CONA but I only talked to Sec. Santiago this week," he said, referring to presidential adviser on revenue enhancement Jun Santiago who is the husband of the late Senator.

Roque is deemed resigned as presidential spokesperson after filing his COC for party-list nomination.

• Roque says unaware of Duterte’s hospital visit

After cutting ties with Malacanang, Roque said Duterte went overboard when he kissed a married Filipina in one of his diplomatic trips to South Korea.

• 'Muntik ko nang hilahin': Roque says Duterte kissing OFW 'inappropriate'

'NOT A TRAPO'

Despite these, Roque claimed that he declined an invitation from ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) to be a part of their senatorial line-up.

"I was offered a seat sa PDP-Laban which I am grateful for but if I am going to run, it cannot be as a traditional politician," Roque said.

The former spokesperson said he had no hard feelings for Duterte, who said in a public address that Roque did not have a chance in winning the Senate race.

"No hard feelings. I did not feel offended at anytime during my stint as presidential spokesperson, but there were instances where I felt that I could've done my job better," Roque said.

"Maraming issues na hindi kami nagkakasundo ni presidente. Walang problema diyan dahil nagkaintindihan kami na isinantabi ko muna ang aking paniniwala," he said.

• Roque denies bad blood with Duterte