Palace challenges Roque to represent himself in court first

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro challenged former presidential spokesman Harry Roque to represent himself first in court before representing anyone else.

This came as Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed that Roque will no longer be a part of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal defense team in the International Criminal Court.

“It might be better for him to first represent himself, defend himself before defending someone else,” she said in a Palace briefing.

Earlier, Roque said he will seek political asylum in The Netherlands out of fear of political persecution from the Philippines as he will represent Duterte in the ICC.

On Tuesday, Malacañang Palace denied any political persecution of Harry Roque.

Castro also declined to comment on Roque’s request for asylum.

“Maybe when there is an arrest warrant and maybe if he actually has a criminal case to face in court, only then will the Palace react,” she said.

Meanwhile, several lawmakers in the House of Representatives said they will move to block Roque’s plan to seek asylum in the Netherlands through the Quad Committee.

Roque left the country in 2024 before the House of Representatives’ Quad Committee issued an arrest order against him after being cited for contempt for failure to submit documents explaining his wealth.

The Justice Department is also looking for Roque as he is facing human trafficking complaints due to his alleged “active participation” in the operations of Lucky South 99, located in Porac, Pampanga, one of the sites used as scam hubs and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO).