JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday challenged former Malacañang spokesperson Harry Roque to return to the country and face the criminal complaints filed against him instead of hiding and seeking asylum in the Netherlands.
“Harapin niya kung ano ang isinasakdal sa kanya. Magpaka-Pilipino siya (He should face the allegations here. He should act like a Filipino),” Remulla said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
“Wala pa ngang nangyayari tumatakas na siya. Harapin niya. Abogado pa naman siya, hindi siya sumusunod sa batas. Sumunod siya sa batas, harapin niya (Nothing has happened yet and he is already running away. He should face the allegations. He is a lawyer and yet he is not following the law),” he added.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have filed qualified human trafficking charges against Roque at the DOJ in relation to his alleged involvement in the operation of an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.
The quad committee of the House of Representatives has also cited Roque in contempt and has issued a warrant for his arrest after the former presidential spokesman refused to submit documents and attend the panel’s hearings.
Roque has announced that he will seek asylum in the Netherlands over his alleged political persecution in the country.
Remulla dismissed Roque’s claim.
“Sabi niya political persecution. Wala kami sa pulitika. Walang pulitikang involved sa kaso sa kanya. So, harapin niya na lang (He is claiming political persecution. We are not in politics. Politics is not involved in the cases that were filed against him. He should just face them),” he said.
Makabayan coalition senatorial candidate and Rep. Arlene Brosas (PL, Gabriela) also dared Roque to fly back to the country.
“Mr. Roque should stop pretending to be a human rights lawyer and face the contempt order issued against him by the congressional quad committee. His sudden appearance in The Hague while evading accountability at home only demonstrates his utter disregard for Philippine legal processes,” Brosas said.
She said Roque’s presence in The Hague raises serious questions about his true intentions.
“This is a desperate attempt to divert public attention from the serious allegations against him regarding his involvement with Lucky South 99 and his unexplained wealth,” Brosas said, stressing that Roque should prioritize clearing his name through proper legal channels.
“Roque should stop trying to be relevant and come home, face the congressional inquiry, and submit the required documents explaining his wealth. If he has nothing to hide why had he gone in hiding ?” she asked.
ICC CASE
Roque has said that he needs to stay in the Netherlands to help Duterte’s legal team in preparing for the trial of the crime against humanity charges he is facing before the ICC.
But Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday night said Roque and former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea will no longer be a part of her father’s legal team.
The vice president said Roque should focus on his asylum bid.
Remulla said Roque is “irrelevant” in the ICC case of the former president, adding he is just injecting himself in the process.
“He is irrelevant here. Sinisiksik niya yung mukha niya para maging relevant siya (He keeps on trying to be a part of the process to become relevant),” he said.
Brosas also said now that Roque is no longer part of Duterte’s defense team, he no longer has anything to contribute to the case.
Remulla, when asked if Roque’s Philippine passport could be revoked to force him return to the country, said this can only happen when a case against him is formally filed in court.
Roque could not be reached for comment on Remulla’s challenge as of press time.
The former presidential spokesperson is one of five Filipino lawyers currently on the ICC’s “list of counsels” who are allowed to argue and represent defendants before the international tribunal. – With Peter Tabingoa
