Harry Roque Speaks on Visitation Situation of VP Sara Duterte to Former Pres. Duterte
SARA DUTERTE – Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque explained why the Vice President won’t enlist herself as former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s legal counsel.
A day after the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Vice Pres. Duterte immediately flew to the Hague, Netherlands to support her father. She was reportedly not able to see him during his detention at the Villamor Air Base following his arrest at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Duterte just arrived from Hong Kong when the Philippine National Police (PNP) authorities arrested him. Malacañang explained that the government acted on the arrest of Duterte in lieu of its commitment with the Interpol.
Outside the International Criminal Court in the Hague, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte was surprisingly spotted with former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. He was out of the public sight for several months after the House of Representatives cited him for contempt.
Roque was reportedly cited for contempt for allegedly failing to submit the documents required to explain the growth of his wealth. Aside from Roque, Senator Robin Padilla was also spotted outside the ICC.
Harry Roque is determined to join the legal team of Duterte. He is one of the Filipino lawyers who are accredited by the ICC. According to him, he has filed an application to be enlisted in the legal team of the former President.
Roque also previously claimed that Vice Pres. Sara Duterte will try to enlist herself as a legal counsel of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte to address the situation with regards to the visitation. However, based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the former spokesman made a clarification opposite to what was previously said.
Atty. Harry Roque said Vice Pres. Sara Duterte will not be a legal counsel of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte as it is against the laws of the Philippines. According to the report, she will be visiting FPRRD as a daughter.
“Hindi po magiging abugado ng Presidente si VP Sara dahil sa Saligang Batas natin ay merong pagbabawal sa pag-practice ng propesyon. So ang kanyang karapatan pogn bumisita ay birang anak. So ulitin hindi siya papasok bilang abugado,” the former presidential spokesman said.
Based on the report, under the Article VII, Section 13 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the president, vice president, and cabinet members as well as their deputies and assistants are prohibited to “directly or indirectly practice any other profession”.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte previously said that former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte wants her to return to the country immediately. According to the Vice President, she will just talk to his legal team and wait for another kin to come there.