Latest news with #HarryRoque
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Ex-Duterte spokesman Harry Roque holds only one passport — DFA
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque only has one passport. In a statement, the DFA said its records show that a passport was issued to Roque in July 2024 and has a validity period until July 9, 2034. This is the latest active passport with a 10-year validity that was issued to Roque, whose full name is Herminio Harry Lopez Roque, Jr., the DFA said. "The Department of Foreign Affairs can confirm that Mr. Harry Roque holds only one valid regular Philippine passport. All other previously issued under his name have been duly cancelled in accordance with existing rules and regulations," the DFA said. The DFA's statement comes just days after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Roque may have multiple passports. Remulla's office, the Department of Justice (DOJ), has ordered the cancellation of Roque's "passports." "It will limit his options. I think he holds two or three passports pa nga eh. May nagsabi sa akin ng ganoon. Ang mahalaga, talagang mapilitan siya mag-account sa kanyang mga ginawa dito at depensahan niya ang sarili niya," Remulla said. (It will limit his options. I think he even holds two or three passports, someone told me that. What's important is that he would be forced to account for what he did here and defend himself.) Roque later denied that he has more than one Philippine passport. "For the record, I am currently using one regular passport, because the other regular one (still current) has no more blank pages. The Department of Foreign Affairs would certainly know that the previous current one is cancelled without prejudice… My regular passport is presently with the Dutch authorities as part of my asylum application," Roque said. The former presidential spokesman has claimed that he was being subjected to political persecution following warrants of arrest filed against him by local courts in relation to his alleged involvement in the raided Lucky South 99 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) Hub in Porac, Pampanga. Previous passports Meanwhile, the DFA said Roque was also issued a regular passport on October 16, 2019, but was "deemed cancelled upon the issuance of his most recent regular passport." "During this period, Mr. Roque was the Presidential Spokesperson and as such was also the bearer of a diplomatic passport issued on 02 December 2017 and valid until 01 December 2022," the DFA said. "The DFA wishes to emphasize that Filipino citizens can only have one active and valid regular passport at any given time. The only exception to this would be qualified government employees who may be issued official or diplomatic passports for use when travelling abroad on official mission," the DFA said. A regional trial court in Angeles, Pampanga has issued an arrest warrant against Roque and 49 others for their alleged involvement in Lucky South 99. According to Philippine authorities, the massive illegal gambling operations, involving Chinese and some other foreign nationals, have ignored local laws for violating business regulations and also committed crimes, such as financial scams, human trafficking, torture, kidnappings and murder. Roque, who was a spokesperson for former President Rodrigo Duterte, left the country last year and is currently seeking asylum in the Netherlands. The Hague, Netherlands-based International Criminal Court had ordered Duterte's arrest through the Interpol for committing alleged crimes against humanity over deadly anti-drug crackdowns he oversaw while in office. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Malacañang to Roque: tracking fugitives is a duty, not political persecution
Malacañang rejected former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque's claim that the government is wasting public resources by pursuing him, stressing that tracking fugitives is a lawful responsibility, not political persecution. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Roque appears to be the only one insisting on that narrative, noting that even his former ally Salvador Panelo has distanced himself from such claims. 'Mukhang si Atty. Harry Roque na lang naman ang naniniwala sa kaniyang pananaw na may political persecution,' Castro said in a briefing. he added: 'Ang kaniyang pagsama-sama sa mga Duterte ay ginagawa niyang panangga para patunayan na mayroong political persecution, pero kahit na ang kaniyang dating naging kaalyado ay hindi naniniwala sa kaniyang mga tinuran.' Castro pointed out that if Roque were genuinely concerned about government funds, he should have acted more responsibly during his time in office. 'Ang paghahanap ng isang fugitive ay hindi pag-aaksaya ng oras… Kung siya ay concerned sa pondo ng bayan, dapat noon pa 'yan—noong 2016 pa,' she said. 'At kung sinasabi nga niya na siya ay concerned sa pondo ng bayan, hindi ba mas maganda kung magboluntaryo na siyang umuwi rito?' Roque, who is reportedly seeking asylum in the Netherlands, faces a standing arrest warrant from the Pampanga Regional Trial Court for qualified human trafficking. He is charged alongside Cassandra Ong and at least 48 others in connection with an alleged offshore gaming scam linked to Lucky South 99. The Department of Justice earlier said it is preparing to request an Interpol red notice to locate and arrest Roque. DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano affirmed that the government remains committed to pursuing justice for the victims.
Filipino Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Palace hits back at Roque's ‘lame duck' jab: Come home and see for yourself
Malacañang has challenged former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to return to the Philippines and witness firsthand whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is, as he claimed, a 'lame duck.' 'If the president is truly a lame duck and the administration supposedly holds no power, then he should come back here immediately,' said Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro during a Palace briefing. Roque, a known ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, made the comment Tuesday night on social media, reacting to partial senatorial race results showing strong showings from Duterte-backed candidates. 'Even if Junior wasn't a candidate, he still lost his fangs! This is now the true lame duck president!' Roque posted, referring to Marcos Jr. When asked whether the midterm elections could be seen as a referendum on the administration, Castro responded that President Marcos still enjoys considerable public support. 'The president still believes he enjoys strong public support at this time,' she said.
Filipino Times
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Palace unfazed by claims linking Harry Roque to ‘polvoron video'
Malacañang expressed no surprise after reports emerged linking former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to the so-called 'polvoron video' that targets President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In a briefing, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro noted that Roque had openly encouraged the distribution of what she described as a manipulated video. Castro emphasized, 'This isn't new; it's fortunate that someone who used to be their ally has confirmed that Atty. Harry Roque circulated the video. We even observed this at their rally in Vancouver, Canada.' When questioned about President Marcos' reaction, Castro explained that the investigation is now in the hands of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). 'If evidence shows anyone is liable, that person will undoubtedly face charges,' she stated. Roque has denied any involvement in the deepfake video, which falsely portrayed President Marcos as using illegal drugs, and dismissed blogger Pebbles Cunanan's claims made during a House tri-committee hearing as mere opinion. In a statement released on April 8, he called the proceedings 'a show' and rejected the affidavit accusing him. He also refuted assertions that he ever threatened to destabilize the government, asserting, 'The fate of President Marcos' administration rests with the Filipino people, not with me.' Roque further suggested that Cunanan's withdrawal of support for former President Rodrigo Duterte may be linked to the current targeting of pro-Duterte vloggers by the administration. Additionally, Roque alleged that the real source of the 'polvoron video' is someone close to President Marcos, noting that the video has been circulating since 2022 and criticizing the House tri-committee for following a 'ready script.'
Filipino Times
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Castro: 'Bring Roque home'
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro has challenged former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to return to the Philippines after he was seen in The Hague, Netherlands. Castro was asked how the Philippine government views Roque's presence in the Netherlands, given that he has remained elusive since being implicated in illegal operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). Roque is also facing an arrest warrant from the House of Representatives after being cited in contempt last year. 'I cannot speak on behalf of the Quad Comm or the House of Representatives because it is the House's arrest warrant that remains unenforced due to Atty. Harry Roque's evasion,' Castro said in a press briefing on Monday, March 17. 'Pero mas maganda siguro na totohanin natin ang hamon sa kanya na umuwi. 'Di ba, may sigaw na 'bring home FP Duterte'? Siguro mas magandang isigaw rin ng mga tao, 'bring home Roque,' she added. Roque has invoked his right to travel after Senator Risa Hontiveros inquired about his whereabouts during a recent Senate hearing. 'For the record, there is no warrant of arrest issued against me. Flight from congressional contempt, I wish to underscore, cannot be evidence of anything. As DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said, I am being pursued not as a criminal or fugitive but as a resource person,' Roque said in a statement earlier this month. 'Having said this, I have no hold departure order and have the right to travel. Is this so difficult to understand, Senator Risa?' he added. Roque announced his plan to seek political asylum in the Netherlands, claiming 'political persecution' in the House hearings.
