Former Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque Speaks on Loyalty to VP Sara Duterte
HARRY ROQUE – The former presidential Spokesman spoke on Vice President Sara Duterte saying he’s excluded from the legal team of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his ICC legal team.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte has made his initial appearance before the pre-trial chamber of the ICC (International Criminal Court) last March 15. Then, he was represented by former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea.
Medialdea was one of the three (3) companions of Duterte on board a flight for Dubai en route for The Hague, Netherlands. He was appointed by Duterte to be his legal counsel at the pre-trial. However, a few days since the pre-trial, Medialdea fell ill and is now confined in a hospital.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte announced that Salvador Medialdea and Harry Roque are excluded from former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC legal team. In the case of the former presidential spokesman, the Vice President explained that they don’t want complications.
VP Sara admitted that they want all the lawyers that will compose the legal team of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to really be focusing on his case. She stressed that it is also an opportunity for Harry Roque to be able to focus in his application for asylum.
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is one of the few Filipino lawyers who are accredited by the ICC. According to VP Sara, the legal team of the former President will be composed of all foreign lawyers.
Recently, Harry Roque broke his silence on the announcement of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte that he won’t be part of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC legal team. According to the former presidential spokesman, he recognizes that it is the right of the Vice President to make the decision.
“Miski ako’y piliin ni Presidente Duterte kung ayaw ni VP Sara… Ma’am, that’s your call. Hindi ko naman pagpipilitan ang sarili ko… Alam niyo naman ang kwento ng buhay ko. Talagang ako’y taga-sunod ni VP Sara. Susunod ako sa sasabihin ni VP Sara at iyan po ay walang halong kaplastikan,” Roque said.
On a video posted on Harry Roque’s Facebook page, the former presidential Spokesman can be seen claiming that he is really afraid of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, thus, if she wants to do something that he is hesitant, he cannot stop her. According to him, he was told by the Vice President to fix his asylum first.
Recently, Roque confirmed that he has applied for asylum in the Netherlands. He stressed that his application allegedly prevents him from being forced to return to the Philippines.