Malacañang Speaks on Appearance of Atty. Harry Roque at ICC
Malacañang released a statement on the presence of former presidential spokesman Harry Roque at the Hague, Netherlands.
Countless people have reacted to the presence of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque outside the International Criminal Court in Netherlands. He was seen talking to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte who flew to Netherlands immediately after former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s arrest.
According to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte wants her to come home immediately to the Philippines. She stressed that she is the only lawyer in their family and the only one who has a Schengen Visa.
As requested by the former President, VP Sara plans to just talk to the legal team of former Pres. Duterte and head home to the country. She stressed that she will work with them remotely.
Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque said he will seek asylum at the Netherlands after claiming that he will join the legal team of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. He is one of the few Filipino lawyers accredited by the ICC.
However, back in the Philippines, Roque was reported to be allegedly hiding for months after the House of Representatives cited him for contempt and ordered him detained. It was over his alleged failure to submit the documents that explain the growth of his wealth.
Amid the calls of the Duterte supporters for the return of the former President, Malacañang encouraged the Filipino people to call for the return of Harry Roque and challenge him to face the allegations against him.
Recently, Malacañang reacted to the pronouncement of Harry Roque that he will defend former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte before the ICC. Based on a report on GMA News, Palace press officer Atty. Claire Castro said it would be better if the former presidential spokesman would defend himself first.
“Siguro po kung sinabi man niya na nandodoon siya, hindi siya uuwi dahil iri-represent niya ang kaniyang presidente, mas maganda po siguro na unahin niya munang i-represent iyong sarili niya, ipagtanggol ang sarili niya bago magtanggol ng ibang tao,” Malacañang said.
Amid the different reactions on the presence of the former presidential spokesman abroad, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte announced that Harry Roque will not be part of Duterte’s legal team.