Palace spokesperson Claire Castro dismissed former Malacañang mouthpiece Atty. Harry Roque’s claims that the government's efforts to locate him constitute a waste of taxpayers' money, challenging his narrative of political persecution and calling on him to voluntarily return to the Philippines if he is truly concerned about public funds.

"It seems like Harry Roque is the only one who still believes in his narrative of political persecution," Castro said in Filipino during a press briefing Monday.

"This is likely his way of hiding his possible liabilities, and he’s using his association with the Dutertes as a shield to support this claim of persecution."

The response came after a reporter raised a question about former presidential legal adviser Salvador Panelo, who also distanced himself from Roque’s narrative, saying he does not believe Roque is being politically persecuted and labeling him as appearing to be a "POGO lawyer."

"Even his former ally no longer believes him," she said. "And regarding his statement about wasting money — the search for a fugitive is not a waste of time. If he were truly concerned about public funds, that concern should have started back in 2016. And if he really says he cares about the nation’s funds, wouldn’t it be better if he just voluntarily came home so the government wouldn’t have to waste time and money on him?"

Roque earlier criticized the government for allegedly spending resources on locating him, maintaining that he is being unfairly targeted. However, Castro’s remarks suggest that his absence may be self-serving and that his continued stay abroad is what burdens government efforts and funding.