Psych Educ, Document ID: PEMJ0, doi: 10.5281/zenodo.

6983872, ISSN 2822-4353

Research Article

Persuasive Strategies in Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque Jr.’s Speeches:

A Discourse Analysis

Mark Anthony V. General*, Almira M. Makalingkang

For affiliations and correspondence, see the last page.

Abstract
Persuasion is an essential skill in communication to convince people by using persuasive strategies as
effective tools. This Descriptive Qualitative study utilizing Discourse Analysis (DA) and Gorys
Keraf’s Theory of Persuasion (2014) aimed to identify the persuasive strategies of Presidential
Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque Jr. as described by his manner in defending President Rodrigo
Duterte from controversies. The transcripts of Roque’s speeches from the 15 videos downloaded from
Youtube contained sentences/words/phrases which were used as the unit of analysis to identify,
analyze and explain the persuasive strategies present in his utterances. Results showed Roque
employed 7 persuasive strategies in his speeches, namely: Suggestion, Rationalization,
Identification, Projection, Displacement, Compensation and Conformity. Roque utilized these
strategies through the following manners used: Directives (Suggestion); Logos (Rationalization);
Audience/Situation Recognition (Identification); Attacks and Social Proof (Projection); Scapegoats
(Displacement); Substitution (Compensation); and Pathos (Conformity).

Keywords: Discourse Analysis, Philippines, Persuasion, Persuasive Strategies, Harry Roque Jr.

Introduction strategies to make his communication effective to do

his job on saving the president from controversial
In the world of politics, persuasive strategies are issues. Persuasion is a verbal method that seeks to
utilized in the communication process to influence, convince a person to do what the speaker says now or
convince, justify or negate people. Communication is in the future (Keraf, 2004).
one of the key foundations of politics since it employs
language in many forms at various levels of In the Philippines, several controversies arise against
communication such as speeches, arguments, press President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Nevertheless, Atty.
releases, pamphlets, advertisements, and manifestos Harry Roque Jr., the official spokesperson of the
(Kameswari and Mamidi, 2018). In this kind of President is always on the president’s side to do his job
discourse in politics, language is used in a form of on defending his boss. It can be recalled that President
u tterances as an in strum en t to deliver its Duterte made intriguing and unconventional rape jokes
communicative intention through persuasive strategies. and derogatory remarks on women, which Roque
would quickly call as jokes (Ranada, 2018). In his
Political discourse may be seen as a deliberate televised speeches, Duterte ordered the rebels to shoot
interaction between the speaker and the audience in women in the vagina (Regencia, 2018) but Palace
which the speaker's communicative objective is to attempts to portray Duterte as a champion of women's
convince the audience to adopt his or her ideas and rights, though (Ranada, 2020).
support his or her suggestions (Darweesh & Mehdi,
2019). The ability of a political speaker to convince There is always a presidential spokesperson, like
effectively through language and communication Roque, who can always justify and defend the
affects people’s judgment and decisions. president. Indeed, politicians may use political speech
to instill their thoughts and ideas in the minds of the
In this case, language plays its role, especially for a public, therefore convincing them to believe whatever
presidential spokesperson who speaks for the they choose (Bayram, 2010; Bello, 2013; Jones &
president. A political discourse of a presidential Peccei, 2004; Matic 2012 in Shakoury, 2018).
spokesperson happens with the help of language and
effective communication to achieve his goal to The persuasion skills of Roque and his own style of
influence and convince people. Shabrina (2016) discourse are relevant as a subject of a study in a
explained that individuals need tactics to influence and Discourse Analysis as they stretch explanation on how
convince their interlocutors. With this, the presidential Roque justifies and saves Duterte. Discourse Analysis
spokesperson employs methods such as persuasion is concerned with written, spoken and context
discourse that is designed to persuade individuals to

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alter their attitudes and take action by creating human’s life as most people utilize them as part of
supports to persuade them that the position is real and their communication to convince other people without
legitimate (Renkema, 1993 as cited by Rizka, 2016). violence or coercion. Also, Persuasion has become a
crucial part of everyday life for humans. Persuasion is
Speech analysts have devoted considerable attention to a technique used by people to persuade or persuade
the complexity of political discourse. In the study others to believe in them. Etymologically, the word
conducted by Jensen et al. (2016), it was found out that persuasion is taken from the Latin word persuasio,
Hillary R. Clinton's campaign discourses are largely which denotes to persuade, ―persuasive (adj)”
aimed to establish a narrative of herself as President of (Palapah in Sunarjo, 1983 and Shabrina, 2016).
the United States of America, and that she also
challenges the historical perspective of the American Perloff (2003) defined persuasion as a symbolic
president with regard to gender. Meanwhile, Gatcho process in which communicators attempt to convince
(2020) revealed that Duterte manipulates language to others to change their ideas or behaviors on an issue
portray a positive image of himself and a negative via the transmission of a message in a free-choice
image of others, legitimizing his authority while environment. The objective of persuasion is to
delegitimizing those who oppose him. accomplish "the intention, act, and impact of
influencing an audience's thinking" (Charteris-Black,
Recognizing the importance of persuasive strategies in 2011). Persuasion may take place in a number of ways,
English Language Learning (ELL) especially on both orally and nonverbally—that is, written or
learning effective communication skills, the researcher spoken, on television, radio, or in the newspaper (Salih
finds it necessary to conduct a study on identifying the & Dawd, 2020).
employed persuasive strategies of Roque on his
speeches to help political speech writers and public According to Zollo (2014), the history of persuasion
speakers build confidence on achieving effective and its study dates back to ancient times. Aristotle
writing and speaking skills. created the first scientific method to persuasion and
identified its scientific components. Since ancient
Political speeches of the presidents have all been given times, persuasion has been researched and analyzed.
some attention; however, the speeches of presidential Aristotle created the first scientific technique of
spokespersons have never been specific subject of persuasion and recognized its scientific elements.
study. The researcher pursued this study to offer a Persuasion, he claims, is founded on three principles
linguistic analysis that would shed light on the extent articulated by the Greek philosopher Aristotle and
to which language is utilized in political discourse. employed as persuasive methods for thousands of
Specifically, this paper would examine and criticize years: ethos refers to the communicator's personality;
the language of Presidential Spokesperson Harry pathos refers to the audience's emotional condition;
Roque in order to determine and describe the and logos refers to the messaging arguments (cited in
persuasive strategies in his speeches as he defends the Salih & Dawd, 2020). Moreover, they categorized the
president from any controversies. three as follows:

Research Questions Ethos

This study aimed to provide a linguistic analysis of the The term "ethos" refers to a speaker's believability.
speeches of Atty. Harry Roque Jr. Specifically, this Speakers develop ethos by seeming knowledgeable,
study sought answers to the following questions: trustworthy, and dynamic; sharing their qualifications
and/or relevant personal experience; giving an
1. What are the persuasive strategies of Harry Roque
argument that is balanced and non-coercive; and
in his speeches?
quoting reputable sources; use proper terminology and
2. How are the persuasive strategies used in Harry
grammar; being considered likable; as well as
Roque’s speeches?
conveying the message effectively.

Literature Review Logos

An argument's logic and reasoning are referred to as

Persuasion and Persuasive Strategies logos. Speakers use logos to support their arguments
by presenting factual, objective information;
Persuasive strategies become an integral aspect of presenting a sufficient number of relevant examples to

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support a proposition; deriving conclusions from Rationalization is a persuasive strategy where the mind
known data; and employing credible supporting is utilized to present a principle of societal justification
evidence such as expert testimony, definitions, to an issue when the principle or rationale is not the
statistics, and literal or historical analogies. actual cause of the issue (Sitanggang, 2019). Simply
said, this method may be utilized to provide a
Pathos reasonable explanation or justification for a certain
situation in order to persuade the audience (Nasruddin,
The activation of emotion via words is referred to as 2016).
pathos. Speakers utilize figurative language such as
metaphor, simile, and personification, as well as vocal Identification
variety, rhythm, and repetition, to elicit pathos.
Identification means that the speaker should be fully
On the other hand, Keraf (2004) stressed that aware of the audience and the situation (Keraf, 2004 as
Persuasion is a verbal art in which the speaker cited in Sari et al., 2019). The term "identification"
attempts to persuade someone to do something that is refers to the ability to recognize a situation. The
acceptable for the speaker's goal at the time. speaker should be aware of the listener and the
Therefore, persuasion is a skill that enables the speaker situation. The speaker should have a thorough
to influence and persuade people’s choice. Persuasion understanding of the audience and the situation.
clearly refers to efforts to influence individuals by Whether they are adults, children, or teenagers, they
asking them to follow what the persuaders say without identify their occupation as teacher, student, or
compulsion (Sitanggang, 2019). Moreover, persuasion businessperson, and they also recognize their religion,
comes with persuasive strategies in all forms of which includes Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddha,
communication. These persuasive strategies are and others (Sari et al., 2019). Persuasion attempts to
essential to deliver persuasions whether to justify or avoid conflict situations and skepticism, and by
sway other people. identifying viewers with their situations, this
persuasion will run smoothly (Sitanggang, 2019).
Nurrosyidah and Shabrina (2016) argued that
persuasive strategies are an essential part of Suggestion
communication. Persuasion strategies are essential
elements that may aid in achieving the aim of In Suggestion Strategy, the speaker may readily impact
persuasion. Persuasion is a difficult talent to learn in the audience by employing fascinating utterances
order to advise, encourage, or persuade people. combined with a compelling voice (Keraf, 2004 as
Persuading someone to believe in anything requires a cited in Sari et al., 2019). The goal of a suggestion is
good method of persuasion. Leonne (2004) defined to solve a problem. Typically, the persuader will make
persuasive as the skill of persuading someone to do recommendations using words and tone, in the hopes
something by advising, encouraging, or convincing of eliciting an intention from the listeners (Sari et a.,
them. 2019).

Keraf’s Seven (7) Persuasive Strategies Sitanggang (2019) emphasized that these words will
appear in suggestions: how about..., what about..., you
Keraf (2004) postulated that persuasive strategies may should..., let's..., why don't you..., shall we..., hope
be categorized into seven categories: rationalization, you'll enjoy it, make, purchase, try, love, like, save...,
identification, suggestion, conformity, compensation, and other terms that draw the listeners' attention.
displacement, and projection.
Conformity
Rationalization
Conformity is the goal or behavior of making
Rationalization is the act of employing the intellect to something like another (Keraf, 2004 as cited in Sari et
rationalize particular issues (Keraf, 2004 as cited in al., 2019). In speech, it is the speaker's style of
Sari et al., 2019). To rationalize is to make sense. This thinking about how to adapt or change an event or the
concentrates on the speaker's words. The speaker will audience's reaction to a remark. Occasionally, the
need to make assertions that the audience can accept speaker will make a similar comment in response to
logically with this method. Rationalization something that has occurred or a well-known truth
demonstrates something by presenting a logical (Sari et a., 2019).
argument or rationale that is acceptable by logic (Sari
et al., 2019). This conformity approach will be used more to

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persuade individuals that the speaker's message is writing and for extending descriptive linguistics
appropriate for both the speaker and the listener as one beyond a single phrase. In Discourse Analysis,
organism (Sitanggang, 2019). meanings are not acquired in the sentence surface level
rather through deeper understanding and analysis.
Compensation
Drid (2010) pointed out that DA is defined as the study
Compensation is crucial for persuasion. Compensation of language use beyond sentences. Schiffrin (1994) as
is the process of finding a suitable substitute for an cited in Drid (2010) elucidated that discourse is just a
undesirable item. It implies that Compensation more advanced level of the hierarchy: morpheme,
involves making a change and finding a suitable clause and sentence (as stated originally by Zellig
substitute for something that is unacceptable (Keraf, Harris in his first reference to DA); She also said that
2004 as cited in Sari et al., 2019 and Sitanggang, the purpose of DA is to portray the basic structural
2019). It happens when a person is frustrated by an relationships that connect discourse units: to show
action or a scenario. This circumstance develops from formal connectedness. According to Drid (2010),
the speaker's interaction with the listener or audience discourse analysis is, by definition, the study of
(Sari et a., 2019). language in use; hence, it cannot be reduced to the
description of linguistic forms without consideration to
Projection the goals or purposes that these forms are meant to
serve in human affairs (Brown and Yule, 1983).
Projection is making something stand out more and to
be the object (Keraf, 2004 as cited in Sari et al., 2019). Context, also called linguistic context, plays an
In this situation, individuals will display or establish important role in identifying the language function in a
their character and attitude toward others, followed by specific discourse. In all of its techniques, discourse
a demonstration of the negative character of others. In analysis is concerned with the function of language,
this method, the speaker will utilize persuasive the structure of texts, and the interaction between text
language to prove the validity of a claim by providing and context (Fasold, 2006). In order to discover the
facts and past occurrences (Sari et a., 2020). global structure of naturally occurring lengths of
spoken or written language, discourse analysts
Displacement examine language fragments in the settings in which
they are utilized. Contexts generate meanings that are
Displacement is a method of attempting to dispense unique to the topic at hand.
with a purpose or a subject that is obstructed, or with
the aim of displacing feelings of initial animosity or, in In Political Discourse, Wilson (2001) described it as a
rare cases, emotion of original attachment. It might be language used in formal and informal political
the abhorrence or the fondness that started it all. The situations by political actors such as politicians,
speaker creates a link between the statement and the political institutions, government, political media, and
fact by comparing it to the fact and relevant proof. political supporters to accomplish political goals
Then persuade the audience that the assertion is correct (Moreno, 2008). In this perspective, politicians are a
(Sari et a., 2020). Displacement is an effort to divert group of individuals who are compensated for their
the mind's attention away from an emotion and onto a (political) actions and who are elected or appointed (or
different thing (Sitanggang, 2019). Furthermore, self-designated) as the major players of the political
numerous expressions, such as "unlike" or other words system (van Dijk, 2001).
that reflect inequality, may be used as examples
(Nasruddin, 2016). Political discourse is distinct from other forms of
conversation because it is purposeful, functional,
Discourse Analysis directed at a particular audience, well-organized, and
rich in figurative language, i.e., metaphors and similes.
Paltridge (2012) elucidated that discourse analysis It differs from other forms of speech in that it consists
investigates language patterns across texts and the link of written or spoken language, verbal or nonverbal,
between language and its social and cultural employed in politics to manipulate the emotions of the
surroundings. He also stated that DA is concerned with audience in order to affect their ideas and attitudes (Al-
the ways in which language is used to present different Faki, 2014). In the meantime, Bayley (2008) clarified
worldviews and understandings. Harris (1952) as cited that policy papers, ministerial speeches, government
by Osisanwo (2015) emphasized that Discourse press releases or press conferences, legislative
analysis is a technique for evaluating related speech or discourse, party manifestos (or platforms),

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election speeches, and other types of political criticisms regarding Duterte's language, Duterte
discourse represent a wide variety of discourses, remains the country's best communicator (Lalu, 2021).
genres, or registers. Harry Roque praised his boss as the "greatest
communicator” despite the fact that Duterte's speech is
Duterte’s Controversies and Roque’s Defense often littered with expletives and unfinished phrases
(Dela Peña, 2021).
President Rodrigo Duterte became the Philippine
President in June 2016. During his term, President Furthermore, Duterte's harsh words have also been a
Duterte has become controversial because of his source of controversy. After police searches in four
inflammatory statements. provinces south of Manila resulted in the deaths of
nine activists, including an environmentalist and the
The rhetoric of President Duterte has constantly been coordinator of the left-wing organization Bagong
questioned. After prior tirades against priests and the Alyansang Makabayan, Duterte ordered police and the
"hypocrisy" of the Church, the top of the list is when military to "ignore human rights" in their pursuit of
he insulted God and called Him "stupid" for the communist insurgents (Punzalan, 2021). Roque
concept of "original sin" in the Bible's creation story supported President Duterte's command to the military
(Ranada, 2018). Roque claimed in an interview with to shoot and kill armed rebels during a conflict,
GMA-7 that the President was only being truthful arguing that such orders are permissible under
about his personal beliefs and that he has the liberty to international humanitarian law. Roque said that the
do so (Ranada, 2018). government would review the deaths of nine
individuals in a series of security operations aimed at
Additionally, President Duterte has been criticized for suspected communist militants, but defended the use
his "sexist and misogynistic remarks." As they of deadly force when necessary (Araneta et al., 2021).
concluded a status briefing on the aftermath of On the other hand, Duterte reprimanded the leaders for
Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) in the Bicol area, Duterte going public before giving the administration a chance
and other national and local authorities made jokes to answer their concerns. In addition, he encouraged
about being "undersexed" and having "too many healthcare professionals to initiate a revolution if they
women" (Rappler.com). Roque supported Duterte's feel it would solve the problems caused by the
recent comments on red-tagging university students COVID-19 epidemic. Roque supported Duterte's rants
and the sexist jokes he made at a disaster meeting against the COVID-19 medical leaders, claiming that
(Nakpil, 2020). Roque said that they should not pay the medical community should have awaited a
too much attention to what the president says since the response from the government before seeking
southern standard for what is objectionable and what is "publicity" (Esguerra, 2020). Roque informed the
not offensive is more liberal. In addition, women's press that the President has always been this way, and
rights groups criticized Duterte for his comment that that the people have embraced him, and that he will
rape is inevitable so long as there are beautiful women. not change just to please certain people in society
According to Roque, Duterte is not sexist since he has (Ranada, 2020).
appointed several women to significant positions in his
government (Villamor, 2018). The President has a
history of making sexist or misogynistic remarks,
Methodology
particularly against women who have opposed his
policies. Roque defended Duterte, stating that he does Research Design
not despise women despite his harsh comments about
them (Panti, 2021). Prof. Maria Ela Atienza of the This study employed a descriptive qualitative method
Department of Political Science at the University of utilizing a discourse analysis (DA). A Descriptive
the Philippines (UP) said that Duterte is not a good Qualitative Method was used to identify and describe
communicator due to his assertions being very generic, the persuasive strategies used by Roque on his
ambiguous, and unsupported by facts (Dela Peña, speeches by examining and analyzing the data, which
2021). Duterte's recommendation that the public use are in the form of utterances extracted from the
gaas (kerosene) as a disinfectant to prevent the transcripts, containing linguistic units like words,
coronavirus sickness 2019 (COVID-19) was not a phrases, clauses, or sentences that did not undergo any
joke, although he did so while cracking jokes statistical analysis.
(Esguerra, 2020). Roque was surprised that Filipinos
continue to find the President's sense of humor Qualitative research elucidates the human aspect of a
puzzling (Ranada, 2020). Roque feels that despite problem, such as people's frequently inconsistent

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actions, ideas, views, feelings, and relationships (Pope Lumabao (2018), the 15 videos will suffice for
& Mays, 2000 as cited by Lumabao, 2018). Thus, this qualitative research since they satisfy the inclusion
study included the researcher’s side through his critical criteria. With this, the 15 downloaded videos that
analysis to suffice the discussion of the results. This provided the researcher with 15 full transcripts of each
means that this research involved the researcher’s video were enough as it met the number of materials
mediation with the data as he provided analysis and sufficient enough as the research corpora for
discussion. Creswell (1994) affirmed that rather than qualitative research.
interviews, machines, or questionnaires, the data is
mediated by this human instrument. The 15 videos were carefully selected since the
interviews must contain a discourse of Roque where he
Discourse Analysis focuses on how language is defended President Duterte from issues. These issues
utilized in a certain situation (Brown and Yule, 1983 were attacks on the president after the derogatory
as cited in Abbas, 2018; Sari, 2018; and Fauzan, remarks, comments and actions he made. Also, the
2013). In this study, Discourse Analysis was utilized to speeches covered Roque’s defense from the questions
examine the data in order to identify and understand of the media thrown during his interviews and press
how persuasive strategies were utilized in a particular conferences as his justification to certain issues. The
discourse. By identifying the persuasive strategies, this videos were taken from the following websites
study shed light on Roque’s utilization of persuasive presented in table 1.
strategies, which were discussed and analyzed
thoroughly by describing how were these being used in Videos of Harry Roque delivering speeches taken from Youtube
a specific discourse and context. The transcripts of the
videos of the speeches of Harry Roque where he
defended President Duterte from controversial issues
were the central context of the discourse. Every video
contained a discourse that focused on Roque’s strategy
on defending, saving and justifying President Duterte.
The researcher examined the transcripts of Roque’s
speeches and identified and explained the persuasive
strategies using Gorys Keraf’s Theory of Persuasion
(2004).

Research Corpora

This study utilized 15 downloaded videos containing

the speeches of Roque from Youtube. Lumabao (2018) Data Gathering Procedures
revealed that research increasingly makes use of
previously downloaded videos as data. There was no In order to gather pertinent data needed to identify the
contribution from participants rather videos will be persuasive strategies employed by Harry Roque on his
used as research materials. The use of videos as the speeches, the following steps were followed:
research corpora, such as the study of Lumabao (2018)
which utilized the downloaded videos of Fliptop First, the researcher collected videos of Roque’s
Battles from Youtube as the research materials of his speeches and interviews. Afterwards, he downloaded
study, has become a trend for Discourse Analysis. This the needed videos. These videos were carefully
only affirmed that videos from Youtube can serve as selected first as they should contain Roque’s
the research corpora. utterances defending the president from controversies.
These videos were taken from Youtube. Second, the
The 15 videos contained speeches of Harry Roque in researcher listened to the downloaded videos and
response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial transcribed the utterances. Third, the researcher
issues to defend and justify the President. These videos e x a m i n e d the data and chose the
were taken from October 2017 to October 2018 and words/phrases/sentences that were helpful in
April 2020 to November 2021- the terms where Roque answering the research questions. The researcher
served as President Duterte’s Presidential selected the words/phrases/sentences from the
Spokesperson. Clarck and Braun (2013) posited that transcripts that potentially contained persuasive
secondary sources for qualitative research are strategies as identified by Keraf (2004) such as
encouraged to have 10–100 materials. As affirmed by

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rationalization, identification, suggestion, conformity, katolika … (maybe it is time for the Catholic
compensation, projection, and displacement to find out Church…)” which implies that Roque was proposing
the types of persuasive strategies that Roque employed “na buksan ng simbahang katolika ang mga biktima
in his speeches. ng pagmomolestya ng mga kabataan sila (to open up
for the victims of youth molestation)” to the public.
To ensure validity, clarity and correctness, the Roque intended the public through his proposal to
researcher listened to the recorded interview several
open up for the victims of youth molestation; thus,
times as he transcribed the information verbatimly and
utilizing Suggestion Strategy.
thoroughly.
The use of the word “let’s” which connotes that Roque
After the transcription, the researcher translated the
was convincing people with his call to “let us not
transcripts so non-English speakers could understand
read…” entails the use of Suggestion. Roque intended
the transcripts as well as the data presentation and
the public through his call not to read anything beyond
discussion. The translations underwent validation from
a professional who has a PhD in language-related the fact. Similarly, Roque used the phrase “At ang
course. The researcher analyzed and interpreted the pakiusap po natin… (And our request)” to appeal his
data based on the original transcripts not on the request to the people not to “magbabaling ng pula sa
translated ones ating Presidente (pin the blame on the President)”.
Roque intended the public through a request not to pin
the blame on the President. Lastly, the utterance “Sana
Results and Discussion binigyan naman siya ng pagkakataon… (I hope he was
given the chance…) manifests that Roque requested to
the people to give Duterte a chance. Another utterance
Persuasive Strategies Used by Atty. Roque Jr. in his
saying that the public should have let Duterte receive
speeches
and read the letter first before seeking a publicity
reveals that Roque did not use justification to reinforce
The table 1 (please see appendix 1) shows the
the President, but he made a proposal, call, request and
persuasive strategies used by Atty. Roque Jr. in his
wish instead to encourage his audience with his call
speeches. Each utterance is potentially comprising a
for action. Putro (2017) affirmed that this trategy is
specific strategy from his speeches represented by its
respective code. typically used to inspire people's thoughts. Therefore,
the utterances RS1, RS3, RS6 and RS11 depicts
As can be seen from the table, Roque utilizes 7 Suggestion Strategy.
persuasive strategies, namely: Suggestion (RS1, RS6,
RS3 and RS11), Rationalization (RS2, RS6 and RS8), The second strategy is Rationalization. It is the act of
Identification (RS3, RS8 and RS9), Projection (RS4, employing the intellect to rationalize a particular issue
RS15, RS12 and RS14, Displacement (RS7, RS5 and by providing assertions that the audience can accept
RS13), Compensation (RS10, RS12 and RS15) and logically (Keraf, 2004 as cited by Sari et al., 2019).
Conformity (RS1 and RS8). This is in accordance with Roque employed Rationalization as his persuasive
the statement og Keraf (2004) who postulated that strategy in RS2, RS6 and RS8. Roque used the phrase
there are 7 persuasive strategies. Roque utilized these “kung meron talagang military necessity sa pagpatay
strategies in order to save President Duterte from (if there is really a military necessity to kill)” and “So
controversies by influencing people through under IHL (International Humanitarian Law)” to
persuasion. As affirmed by Shabrina (2016), justify the act of killing. In this case, Roque
individuals need tactics to convince their interlocutors. established validation by citing the IHL in order to
defend his statement. Citing a reliable source such as
The first persuasive strategy is Suggestion. It is a the IHL is a justification that makes this a kind of
persuasion method where a speaker will make Rationalization.
recommendations using words and tone in the hopes of
eliciting an intention from the listeners (Sari et al., Moreover, the utterance “At kung paniniwalaan po
2019). Roque employed Suggestion as his persuasive natin ang mga surveys (And if we will believe in
strategy in his utterances in RS1, RS3, RS6 and RS11, surveys)” makes it a kind of Rationalization. Roque
where recommendations were highlighted as his tactic. proved that President Duterte remained the best
Specifically, Suggestion Strategy can be identified President by saying “Surveys” to convince the public
through this utterance which emphasized the phrase to believe him. “Surveys” serves as the justification of
“sigoro po panahon na na buksan ng simbahang this utterance. Similarly, Roque asked, “Why are we

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going to wash with gasoline?” is an utterance that Another manifestation in the use of Identification
manifests Rationalization. He used a logical question Strategy by Roque is the statement “don’t really take
in a form of a question to justify that President things as seriously as the people in Luzon”. With this
Duterte’s remark was only a joke. The reasons uttered particular utterance, his defense is to identify his
by the speaker become the defense to support his claim audience as “people in Luzon” who take things
(Putro, 2017). When Roque pointed out the seriously than people in the South, pointing out that
explanations of his claims by citing a reliable source, Duterte was not taking things seriously as he was
survey and logical questions, they become the talking to the people from the South. By identifying
justification to convince his audience. Therefore, the his audience from Luzon, he convinced them that
utterances RS2, RS6 and RS8 depict Rationalization Duterte’s remark was just a joke. For a persuader to
Strategy. know to whom he is speaking and to whom he would
direct his message, he must be aware of the people's
Third is Identification Strategy. It refers to the ability situation (Putro, 2017). Roque identified his audience
to recognize the audience and situation to avoid as Filipinos who are persistent in the time of crisis;
conflict situations (Keraf, 2004 as cited by Sari et al., Filipinos who do not put any deeper meaning to jokes;
2019). Roque employed Identification as his and Filipinos who are considered as “poor” and are
persuasive strategy from his utterances in RS3, RS8 dependent to the President, especially in the time of
and RS9. Roque used the terms “ugali na ng Pilipino crisis. Therefore, the utterances RS3, RS8 and RS9
(Filipino character)” to make his audience in which depict Identification Strategy.
majority are Filipinos, accept the circumstance. Roque
The fourth is Projection Strategy. It is making
addressed his message to Filipinos their qualities as
something stand out more and to be the object by
resilient. One indicator of being resilient is the ability
asserting character and attitude to demonstrate the bad
to lighten up the problems that challenge them. Being
character of others (Keraf, 2004 as cited by Sari et al.,
identified as persons with the Filipino character, that
2019). Roque employed Projection as his persuasive
statement “bagamat marami tayong pagsubok e
strategy from his utterances in RS4, RS15, RS12 and
sinusubukan pa rin natin na i-lighten yung ating mga
R14. Roque projected Duterte as simple and authentic
problema (even though we have encountered many
and never pretentious. By identifying Duterte with
trials, we still try to lighten our problems)” allowed
these qualities, Roque justified the simplicity of
Roque to persuade his audience that President Duterte Duterte’s Birthday celebration against what other
was only joking and trying to lighten up the mood in people claimed that the President was just pretending
the time of crisis in Cagayan and Naga. The conflict to be poor. With this utterance, Roque attacked the
situation in the context which is joking in a critics by projecting the President with positive
challenging time was not appropriate was avoided in character and making it stood out more than the issue.
this particular utterance when Roque identified the
audience with a Filipino character which is remaining Roque justified Duterte’s “maanghang na mga salita
steadfast in times of crisis. With this, Roque used (harsh words)” with “what he has done for women as a
Identification Strategy to avoid that said conflict mayor”. Roque put emphasis in Duterte’s positive
situation. contribution to save him. He argued that the President
as someone with a contribution to women was better
Similarly, Roque identified his audience as Filipinos than those women like Leila de Lima who was
and majority are poor Filipinos. That is why he used “accused of large-scale drug trafficking”. He used the
the terms “Pilipino” (Filipino) and “mahirap” (Poor). bad character of de Lima to make Duterte’s good
By identifying his audience, he convinced the majority character stand out.
that washing hands with gasoline was just a joke and
wearing mask is more effective. Meanwhile, Roque utilized two different utterances
(RS12 and RS14) with the same Projection Strategy.
Roque said that the President wanted to distribute free Roque used the approval of the public on Duterte’s
masks for the poor to convince them by indirectly foul language as his “style” and “ganoon po si
implying that wearing masks was effective instead. In Presidente (President has been like that) and that style
this way, the conflict situation which was telling the was accepted by the people “for how he is”. Roque’s
Filipinos of wrong way to disinfect was avoided by reason was further justified by utilizing a proverb
convincing his audience that after all, Duterte was “You can’t teach an old horse new tricks” that means
concerned about the Filipinos, especially to the poor people are unwilling to change old habits or long-held
Filipinos so he wanted to distribute free mask. beliefs and “hindi na po siya magbabago para lang

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matuwa ang ilan sa ating lipunan (he will not change compare both in terms of experience justified Roque’s
just to make some in our society happy)” as statement that “Carpio has nothing to prove.” Putro
validations to Duterte’s style. In this way, Roque (2017) pointed out that Displacement is a process that
justified the foul remarks as Duterte’s style and he strives to convert a goal or thought into another one.
further convinced the public as he claimed that this Roque was able to achieve this and justified Duterte’s
style has already been accepted by the Filipinos. remarks by making comparisons. This strategy is
Projection Strategy is making something stand out called Displacement.
more and to be the object by asserting character and
attitude to demonstrate the bad character of others The sixth is Compensation Strategy. It is the process of
(Keraf, 2004 as cited by Sari et al., 2019). Roque finding a suitable substitute for something that is
established the positive qualities of Duterte to cover up unacceptable (Keraf, 2004 as cited by Sari et al.,
his issues by projecting the negative characters of 2019). Roque employed Compensation as his
others. Therefore, the utterances labelled as RS4, persuasive strategy from his utterances in RS10, RS12
RS15, RS12 and R14 depict Projection Strategy. and RS15. Roque argued that the best time to complain
is “when it is not delivered.” This particular utterance
Next is Displacement Strategy. It is an attempt to shift was substituted for a perceived opposite statement
the mind's focus away from emotion and onto “when it is delivered”. These two different utterances
something else (Sitanggang, 2019) and it uses are the condition of the right time to complain. This
expressions such as “unlike” or other words that reflect means that Roque pointed out that a complaint should
inequality (Nasruddin, 2016). Roque employed be served when vaccines were not delivered with
Displacement as his persuasive strategy in his respect to quality and price. Therefore, Roque
utterances in RS7, RS5 and RS13. Roque’s statement substituted the statement “when it is delivered” with
“compared to other countries” was used to contend “when it is not delivered” to justify the government’s
that the fatality rate of the Philippines is lower than the decision to deal with Pharmally.
other countries. This comparison justified Duterte’s
“not-a-big-deal” remark on pandemic by proving that Additionally, Roque asked “Bakit niyo kasi in-award
Philippines was not in a worse-case scenario than the sa kumpanya na walang resources? (Why did you
other countries. Roque replaced the issue with a worse award it to a company that doesn't have resources?) to
issue than the original abhorrence. The replacement mean that Pharmally had the resources and to reinforce
now becomes the scapegoat to cover up to the original his statement that this pharmaceutical was able to
abhorrence. deliver. That particular question is a surrogate question
to implicate the opposite. Roque regarded the
Meanwhile, Roque contrasted Filipinos with “reklamo” (complaint) as unacceptable and therefore
Americans to defend that Duterte’s rape joke was substituted with the statement “Siguro po kung hindi
without malice. Roque pointed out the difference naka-deliver, pwede magreklamo” (Maybe if it's not
between Americans and Filipinos, which the former delivered, you can complain) to mean that people’s
“binibigyan ng napakalalim na kahulugan (give complaint becomes appropriate when the mentioned
everything a very deep meaning)” This was to ensure company was not able to deliver the items/goods.
that Roque’s audience had understood that Duterte’s
rape joke had no deep meaning but purely a joke. In another instance, Roque substituted threats with
Additionally, Roque indirectly placed his utterance frustrations. He pointed out that Duterte did not make
into two situations by saying “pero dito po naman sa any threat rather frustrations after Duterte outburst
Pilipinas (but we are here in the Philippines)” By towards COA’s report. Roque substituted Duterte’s
considering the same utterance in two different remarks (alleged threats) with frustrations as he further
contexts, Roque justified that Duterte’s remark had no explained that Duterte was frustrated with the COA
malice because he had spoken in the Philippine after it flagged anomalous government expenses.
context. Roque compared Duterte to Justice Carpio. Duterte threatened COA personnel with “kidnap” and
Roque argued that Duterte was different from Carpio “torture”, which Roque claimed as only frustrations.
since the latter “has never debated publicly”. Roque’s To justify it, Roque substituted “threats” with
strategy to juxtapose Duterte and Carpio had caused a unacceptable behavior of COA such as flagging the
negative implication to Carpio. Roque justified his anomalous government expenses. Also, Roque
statement “He has nothing to prove” by implicating substituted Duterte’s foul language with his good track
that Duterte had already proven something that he record in Davao. This strategy covers up Duterte’s
needed not to debate anymore and he had done it unacceptable behavior and justify it with a good track
several times unlike Carpio. Roque’s strategy to record. “…may track record siya sa Davao (he has

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track record in Davao) emphasized a justification to Manner Used in Persuasive Strategies

“his foul language”. Roque believed that Duterte’s
track record weighed heavier than his foul language. The next table (please see appendix 2) discuss the
Roque’s strategy is to make unacceptable statement a manner used by Roque. Manner Used describes how
positive one. It is a promise that a persuader makes to Atty. Roque Jr. employed persuasive strategies in his
the people that if they follow him, they will discover speeches.
something better or it is a promise that a persuader
makes to the people that they will find something Atty. Roque Jr.’s 7 persuasive strategies based on
better if they follow him (Putro, 2017). Roque Keraf’s Theory of Persuasion (2014) have different
provided his audience with better substitutes to things manners used in order to achieve his communicative
considered as unacceptable and he was able to intentions in persuading his audience.
influence them using this strategy called
Co mpen sation . For Suggestion Strategy, Atty. Roque Jr. utilized the
manner of directives. Directives are speech acts that
Finally, the last is Conformity Strategy. It is a desire or the speaker utilizes to persuade someone else to do
action to create something similar to another (Keraf, something (Searle in Levinson, 1983 as cited in
2004 as cited by Sari et al., 2019). Roque employed Lampung, 2016). Keraf (2004) as cited in Sari et al.
Conformity as his persuasive strategy in his utterances (2019) accentuated that Suggestion is an attempt to
in RS1 and RS8. In an instance, Roque declared that convince or influence individuals to embrace a certain
the President himself was a victim of molestation to idea without offering logical principles or views. From
give justification that Duterte’s hate speech against the the utterances above, he did not use justification to
Catholic Church was valid. Duterte’s resentment was reinforce him, but he encourages the public to make an
rooted from his past experiences as a youth who was action through his recommendations. In the given
allegedly molested by the ‘Catholic Church’. In this utterances, Roque used the manner of Directives such
as proposing, calling, requesting and hoping to
way, Roque convinced the people that Duterte’s
demonstrate recommendations.
attitude towards God and the Catholic Church,
showing them resentment through his foul language is
As observed in his speech, Roque did not provide
justifiable in that particular sense.
logical principles or beliefs but rather only suggestions
In the context of persuasion, Roque’s way of digging or recommendations for his audience. Through
into Duterte’s root of his resentment was his strategy suggestions and recommendations, he made his
audience act on the Directives.
to easily convince the people. The spokesperson turned
Duterte as one of the victims themselves who seek for
For Rationalization Strategy, Atty. Roque Jr. utilized
justice against the alleged molestation by the Catholic
Logos. Logos refers to the argument's reasoning or
Church. In another utterance, Roque adjusted himself
logic (Jones, 2013). Keraf (2004) as cited in Sari et al.
as one of his audiences. As a member of the same
(2019) pointed out that Rationalization is the process
country who suffers from the COVID-19 pandemic, he
of using the mind to justify certain problems. This
conforms himself with the people that he also is means that this particular strategy uses reasons for his
washing his facemask for a number of times. In this statements to strengthen and justify them. In the given
way, he made himself similar with them, convincing utterances, Roque utilized Logos by using logical
them that washing of masks is true to all, whether you statements. By citing laws such as International
are the President, the President’s Spokesperson or not. Humanitarian Law (IHL); using surveys and asking
Roque’s strategy on telling the public that he himself rhetoric questions helped Roque to convince his
also washes his own facemasks is convincing them audience. Jones (2013) added that speakers use logos
that the President’s suggestion to disinfect using by providing credible information as supporting
gasoline was just a joke and using facemask is a better material and citing their sources verbally during their
protection against COVID-19. In Conformity, a speech. Thus, these particular utterances are reasons
persuasive speaker demonstrates his ability to act like that are accepted by logic and therefore, are accepted
the audience (Putro, 2017). Using the Conformity by the general public. The mentioned utterances
strategy, Roque adapted himself as the audience to contained reasons which served as the foundation of
show that just like them he acted as well as them. Roque’s intention to convince his audience. Truth is
Therefore, Roque convinced them by making himself used in this technique as the foundation to influence
and Duterte just like the audience. This is called people so that they change attitudes according to what
Conformity Strategy. the persuader said (Salih and Dawd, 2020).

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Meanwhile, Atty. Roque Jr. utilized Identification utilized by the speaker to deface another individual.
Strategy by Audience and Situation Recognition. Roque projected Duterte positively and the audience
Keraf (2004) as cited in Sari et al. (2019) emphasized just recognized him as a figure who has good attitudes
that Identification is identifying the recipient and and characters. Furthermore, Roque also used Social
situations, the speaker must analyze the situation of the Proof as another manner in utilizing Projection
audience or listeners thoroughly accurate. Roque Strategy. According to the Principle of Social Proof, a
utilized Identification Strategy by identifying his person's evaluation of what is acceptable, appropriate,
audience to recognize to what particular circumstances or correct action depends on the extent to which others
they are in. In this way, Roque used the manner called have shown the same behavior (Vargheese, Sripada,
Audience/Situation Recognition to avoid the conflict Masthoff and Oren, 2016). The phrases “people have
situation by allowing his audience to relate to the accepted him” and “tinanggap na po siya ng
matter and sway them to take part on solving the issue taumbayan (people have already accepted him) show
rather than contend against the speaker or the Social Proof. The greater the frequency with which
President. Identifying the audience's age, whether they others take a certain activity, the more probable it is
are adults, children, or adolescents, their occupation as that others evaluating their own conduct would
teachers, students, or business people, and even their perceive the action as acceptable, suitable, or proper
religion (Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, or Buddhism) (Cialdini, 2009). By using Attacks and Social Proof,
is crucial to avoid the conflict situation because his Roque convinced his audience using this particular
audience can relate to the situation (Sari et al., 2019). persuasive strategy called Projection.
This was made possible by Roque by identifying his
audience as Filipinos who are persistent in the time of Next, Atty. Roque Jr. employed Displacement Strategy
crisis; Filipinos who do not put any deeper meaning to by providing scapegoats. Sari et al. (2019) noted that
jokes; and Filipinos who are considered “poor” and are Displacement Strategy is a process that attempts to
dependent on the President, especially in the time of remove an intention or a thing that has encountered a
crisis. Bruke (1969), cited in Salih and Dawd (2020) barrier, or with the purpose of dislodging the feeling of
argued that humans are naturally distinct from birth, initial enmity or, on occasion, the emotion of original
and the drive to identify with others stems from the fondness. In simpler terms, the object is replaced or
need to overcome a sense of isolation. Thus, by shifted with another object, which Abbas (2008)
identifying the audience as part of the issue, interests regarded as the “scapegoat”. In Roque’s utterances,
are joined and therefore avoid conflict situations. Duterte’s controversies were covered up by comparing
it with another issue as its “scapegoat”. By
Meanwhile, Atty. Roque Jr. utilized Projection successfully making a comparison, Roque allowed his
Strategy through Attacks and Social Proof. Keraf audience to weigh which one carries more advantage
(2004) as cited in Sari et al. (2019) said that Projection than detriment- the original abhorrence or the
is the transformation of a subject into an object. It scapegoat. The “scapegoat” is being implicated with
means that, projection is making something stand out less harm and therefore displaces the original issue
more and to be object (Sari et al., 2019). Roque with more harm. Roque utilized Displacement Strategy
utilized Projection Strategy by making Duterte as the by comparing the issue with another issue as the
subject to an object, which made him stand out than original cause of the problem. Abbas (2008) noted that
the issues. The benefits and drawbacks of a person are an object that becomes the subject of hostility or
presented by Projection Strategy to illustrate their resentment is relocated or replaced with one that
distinctions with others (Salih and Dawd, 2020). should not get it. In Roque’s utterances, he shifted the
Roque utilized Projection Strategy through Attacks audience’s attention from Duterte’s derogatory
and Social Proof. Attacks against opposing viewpoints, remarks and controversies to other countries’ higher
or the individuals who express them might influence fatality rate than of the Philippines; American’s
the audience by presenting opinions and beliefs that putting too much meaning; and inexperienced
are opposed to the author’s/speaker’s position as Associate Justice Carpio. In this strategy, it used the
dumb, harmful or deceptive (Argyropoulou and usual language or the language that is still acceptable
Ypsilandis, 2017). By citing Duterte’s positive to the public in order to displace rude language or the
character such as his authenticity, simplicity and style language that can discriminate one group (Salih and
and his contribution to stand out against the issues. Dawd, 2020). Hence, this displacement strategy by
Roque was able to defend Duterte as a positive person. Roque uses scapegoats to persuade people is called
Likewise, Roque employed Attack to highlight Displacement Strategy.
contradictions on what other people think about
Duterte. Abbas (2008) emphasized that this tactic is For Compensation Strategy, Atty. Roque used the

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manner of substitutions. Keraf (2004), quoted in Sari out that Roque utilized Keraf’s 7 Persuasive Strategies,
et al. (2019), said that Compensation is the act or namely: Rationalization, Identification, Suggestion,
consequence of an endeavor to find a substitute for Conformity, Compensation, Projection and
unpleasant or intolerable situations that have been Displacement in persuading his audience to support his
sustained. In basic words, compensation is the process idea on justifying, defending and saving President
of altering and replacing something that is Duterte from controversies.
unacceptable (Sari et al., 2019). Roque in his
utterances, utilized Compensation Strategy by Suggestion Strategy was depicted when Roque
substitution. First, Roque substituted inappropriate intended his listeners to do what he wants his
complaints to a condition “if Pharmally was not able to audiences to do through his
deliver” and therefore becomes appropriate when that recommendations/suggestions without providing
condition was met; secondly, he substituted threats logical principles in persuading people through
with frustrations; lastly, he substituted Duterte’s foul Directives. Meanwhile, Rationalization Strategy is
language with his track records. These unacceptable shown as an opposite of Suggestion. Roque utilized
circumstances are substituted in order to convince logical statements to convince his audience through
Roque’s audience by enabling support for his claims. Logos. Next, Identification Strategy was demonstrated
Roque believed that his audience may do the same as through Audience/Situation Recognition that is when
what the President did or said by explaining to them Roque avoided the conflict situation by allowing his
that the substitutes are more appropriate and better audience relate to the matter and sway them to take
than the actual remark or action of the President to part on solving the issue rather than contend against
compensate for his controversies. The speaker can the speaker or the President. Projection Strategy took
push his audience to do an action by convincing them place when Duterte’s positive character stood out than
that they have the ability to do what the speaker has the negative ones, allowing Roque to successfully
done (Salih and Dawd, 2020). convince his listeners. Duterte’s positive attributes
allowed Roque to disfigure another person by
Finally, Atty. Roque Jr. utilized Conformity Strategy imposing their negative characters through Attacks and
through Pathos. Keraf (2004) as cited in Sari et al. Social Proof. Displacement Strategy was expressed in
(2019) highlighted that Conformity is a mental process Roque’s speeches to persuade his audience when he
through which we conform to or are compared to the shifted the audience’s attention from Duterte’s
ideal scenario. It is the speaker's method of thinking to derogatory remarks and controversies to scapegoats
adopt or adapt an event or the audience's situation to that weigh acceptable than the original abhorrent.
the remark. Roque used this tactic by using the Pathos Roque utilized Compensation Strategy by substitution.
technique. Pathos relates to emotional appeals, which The unacceptable circumstances are substituted with
indicates that stimulating an audience's emotions is a something that is more acceptable in order to convince
technique to engage them in the speech, and Roque’s audience. Successful substitution enables a
engagement may provide additional possibilities for support for his claims. Finally, Conformity Strategy
persuasion and action. Pathos in this case is was used by Roque by making himself and Duterte as
demonstrated by Roque by making himself and part of the people who belong to the existing
Duterte as part of the people who belong to the condition. Roque made himself and/or Duterte similar
existing condition. People in this case can easily relate with other selves to persuade his audience that they do
to the circumstances because the speaker himself is the same with the audience. This strategy was
part of the status quo or Duterte himself is one of them demonstrated using Pathos. Therefore, in order for
in the society where the issue exists. In conformity, the Atty. Roque Jr. to convince his audience, he applied
speaker will show that he is capable of doing and the different manners to his persuasive strategies in
acting as the audience (Salih and Dawd, 2020). performing his job as the President Duterte’s
Roque’s way of telling the people that he himself and presidential spokesperson in saving him from
Duterte are similar with the people allowed him to controversies.
carry out his goal to persuade them. Therefore, he used
pathos as shown in his utterances to convince and The results of this study provided insightful
persuade people. recommendations for further researches: (1) In the
field of Linguistics, this study may be used as a
starting point of examining other linguistic discourses
Conclusion
from other contexts such as court, online games,
market, etc.; and analyzing the persuasive strategies
Based on the results of the study, the researcher found employed in these particular contexts. (2) Language

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researchers may utilize other persuasion theories such a Theoretical Framework.

as Aristotle’s Theory of Persuasion and Searle’s Hidayat, A. (2016). Speech Acts: Force Behind Words.
Classification of Speech Acts to investigate different
linguistic discourses in a different state of the art of a Janks, H. (1997). Critical Discourse Analysis as a Research Tool.
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Discourse Analysis. (3) Future researchers may
explore the cultural background of President Duterte Jones, R . (2013). Communication in the Real World: An
and provide an analysis of his discourse with respect to Introduction to Communication Studies.
his ethnicity. (4) Harry Roque’s discourse inside court
Kameswari, L. & Mamidi, R. (2018). Political Discourse Analysis:
proceedings, highlighting Human Rights cases using A Case Study of 2014 Andhra Pradesh State Assembly Election of
Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) may Interpersonal Speech Choices. 32nd Pacific Asia Conference on
also be an interesting topic. (5) English language Language, Information and Computation.
learners and public speakers such as the government Keraf, G. (2004). Argumentasi dan Nasi Komposisi Lanjutan III.
spokespersons may develop their skills in public Jakarta: Gramedia
speaking by utilizing Keraf’s persuasive strategies and
Lumabao, B. (2018). The Language of Fliptop among Filipino
the manners used by Roque in these strategies.
Youth: A Discourse Analysis.

Miles, B. & Huberman M (1994). An Expanded Source Book:

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Appendix 1. (Table 1) Persuasive Strategies Used by Atty. Roque Jr. in his Speeches

Persuasive
Codes Utterances
Strategy
Para maiwasan na po ang ganito katinding paghihinakit sa
Simbahang Katolika sigoro po panahon na na buksan ng
RS1 simbahang katolika ang mga biktima ng pagmomolestya ng mga
kabataan sila.

Let’s not read anything beyond the fact na the President wants to
more or less lighten the mood dahil buong araw wala syang Nakita
RS3
kung hindi disaster doon po sa Cagayan at doon po sa Naga. Suggestion

At ang pakiusap po natin, yung mga na pamahalaan, huwag naman

kayo magbabaling ng pula sa ating Presidente dahil the bottom line
RS6
is, katungkulan niyo pa rin na kayo ang magpatupad ng maayos at
makataong magbabakunahan.
Sana binigyan naman siya ng pagkakataon na masagot ang liham
RS11
bago sila nagkaroon ng publicity.
So under IHL po, tama yung order ng president- Kill, kill, Kill kasi
nga po kapag merong labanan kapag ang kalaban mo may baril na
pwede kang patayin, alangan naman ikaw ang mag-antay na ikaw
ang mabaril at mapatay.
RS2
Dahil meron pong digmaang nangyayari, hindi po talaga bawal
pumatay. Ang ating batayan ay kung meron talagang military
Rationalization
necessity sa pagpatay.

At kung paniniwalaan po natin ang mga surveys, the President

remains to be the best communicator and the best positive
RS6
communicator in the country today.

RS8 Joke only. Bakit naman maghuhugas tayo ng gasolina?

Alam mo talagang ugali na ng Pilipino na bagamat marami tayong
pagsubok e, sinusubukan pa rin natin na i-lighten yung ating mga
RS3
problema.

So kung hindi sa lahat ng Pilipino, sa maraming Pilipino lalong-

Identification
RS8 lalo na sa mahirap.

And from what I have seen myself, although I’m from Luzon, people
RS9 in the south, particularly in Cebu and the Visayas, they don’t really
take things as seriously as [the] people in Luzon.
I don’t think the president ever pretended to be poor. He has always
been known as simple… No, the President never pretends, he is
RS4 known for his authenticity. He has simple celebrations and I think
that’s what happened on his birthday. Projection

RS15 Kaya nga the president is not bothered na maski meron syang mga

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maanghang na mga salita na sinasabi laban sa ilang mga

kababaihan, he knows what he has done for women as a mayor…
Unang-una, Leila de Lima is accused of large-scale drug
trafficking.

That’s just his style. You can’t teach an old horse new tricks, okay?
RS12 And people have accepted him for how he is.

Sa mula’t mula, ganoon po si Presidente. Tinanggap na po siya ng

RS14 taumbayan at hindi na po siya magbabago para lang matuwa ang
ilan sa ating lipunan
Ang sinasabi ng president ay compared to other countries, lalong-
RS7 lalo na yung ating fatality rate nasa 2.05% po.

‘Wag po tayong parang amerikano. Yung Amerikano kasi lahat

binibigyan ng napakalalim na kahulugan pero dito po naman sa Displacement
RS5
Pilipinas.

He has nothing to prove dahil (because) unlike Associate Justice

RS13
Carpio he has never debated publicly.
Siguro po kung hindi naka-deliver, pwede magreklamo. Bakit niyo
RS10 kasi in-award sa kumpanya na walang resources?

I don’t think he made any threats, he expressed frustrations. Compensation

RS12
Well, kasi (because) despite of his language, may track record siya
RS15
sa Davao.
Nagkataon yung isang biktima naging Presidente.
RS1
Conformity
Ako po linalabhan ko. Meron akong apat o lima na linalabhan at
RS8
parehong kulay dahil mas komportable ako dyan.

Appendix 2. (Table 2) Manner Used by Atty. Roque Jr. in his Persuasive Strategies

Persuasive Manner
Utterances
Strategy Used
Para maiwasan na po ang ganito katinding paghihinakit sa
Simbahang Katolika sigoro po panahon na na buksan ng
simbahang katolika ang mga biktima ng pagmomolestya ng
mga kabataan sila.

Suggestion Let’s not read anything beyond the fact na the President Directives
wants to more or less lighten the mood dahil buong araw
wala syang Nakita kung hindi disaster doon po sa Cagayan
at doon po sa Naga.
At ang pakiusap po natin, yung mga na pamahalaan, huwag
naman kayo magbabaling ng pula sa ating Presidente

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dahil the bottom line is, katungkulan niyo pa rin na kayo ang
magpatupad ng maayos at makataong magbabakunahan.

Sana binigyan naman siya ng pagkakataon na masagot ang

liham bago sila nagkaroon ng publicity.
So under IHL po, tama yung order ng president- Kill, kill,
Kill kasi nga po kapag merong labanan kapag ang kalaban
mo may baril na pwede kang patayin, alangan naman ikaw
ang mag-antay na ikaw ang mabaril at mapatay.

Dahil meron pong digmaang nangyayari, hindi po talaga

bawal pumatay. Ang ating batayan ay kung meron talagang
Rationalization Logos
military necessity sa pagpatay.

At kung paniniwalaan po natin ang mga surveys, the

President remains to be the best communicator and the best
positive communicator in the country today.

Joke only. Bakit naman maghuhugas tayo ng gasolina?

Alam mo talagang ugali na ng Pilipino na bagamat marami
tayong pagsubok e, sinusubukan pa rin natin na i-lighten
yung ating mga problema.

So kung hindi sa lahat ng Pilipino, sa maraming Pilipino Audience/

Identification lalong-lalo na sa mahirap. Situation
Recognition
And from what I have seen myself, although I’m from Luzon,
people in the south, particularly in Cebu and the Visayas,
they don’t really take things as seriously as [the] people in
Luzon.
I don’t think the president ever pretended to be poor. He has
always been known as simple… No, the President never
pretends, he is known for his authenticity. He has simple
celebrations and I think that’s what happened on his
birthday.
Attacks
Kaya nga the president is not bothered na maski meron
Projection
syang mga maanghang na mga salita na sinasabi laban sa
ilang mga kababaihan, he knows what he has done for
women as a mayor… Unang-una, Leila de Lima is accused
of large-scale drug trafficking.
That’s just his style. You can’t teach an old horse new tricks,
okay? And people have accepted him for how he is. Social Proof

Sa mula’t mula, ganoon po si Presidente. Tinanggap na po

siya ng taumbayan at hindi na po siya magbabago para lang
matuwa ang ilan sa ating lipunan
Ang sinasabi ng president ay compared to other countries,
lalong-lalo na yung ating fatality rate nasa 2.05% po.
Displacement Scapegoats
‘Wag po tayong parang amerikano. Yung Amerikano kasi

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lahat binibigyan ng napakalalim na kahulugan pero dito po

naman sa Pilipinas.

He has nothing to prove dahil (because) unlike Associate

Justice Carpio he has never debated publicly.
Siguro po kung hindi naka-deliver, pwede magreklamo.
Bakit niyo kasi in-award sa kumpanya na walang resources?

Compensation I don’t think he made any threats, he expressed frustrations. Substitution

Well, kasi (because) despite of his language, may track

record siya sa Davao.
Nagkataon yung isang biktima naging Presidente.
Conformity Pathos
Ako po linalabhan ko. Meron akong apat o lima na
linalabhan at parehong kulay dahil mas komportable ako
dyan.

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