Palace denies political persecution vs Harry Roque | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Palace denies political persecution vs Harry Roque
Palace denies political persecution vs Harry Roque
David Dizon,
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 18, 2025 11:18 AM PHT
|
Updated Mar 18, 2025 01:27 PM PHT


Watch more on iWantTFC.com. Watch hundreds of Pinoy shows, movies, live sports and news.
Watch more on iWantTFC.com. Watch hundreds of Pinoy shows, movies, live sports and news.
Malacanang denied Tuesday that former presidential spokesman Harry Roque is a victim of political persecution after the latter faced arrest for evading a congressional inquiry on offshore gaming operators in the Philippines.
Malacanang denied Tuesday that former presidential spokesman Harry Roque is a victim of political persecution after the latter faced arrest for evading a congressional inquiry on offshore gaming operators in the Philippines.
Roque said Monday he would seek asylum in the Netherlands, where he has joined the legal team defending former President Rodrigo Duterte from crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court.
Roque said Monday he would seek asylum in the Netherlands, where he has joined the legal team defending former President Rodrigo Duterte from crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court.
He told reporters the warrant of arrest issued by the House Quad Committee is “unjust prosecution" against him.
He told reporters the warrant of arrest issued by the House Quad Committee is “unjust prosecution" against him.
"Dito sa Europa, unheard of 'yung may warrant of arrest na indefinite ang lifetime," he said. "I am confident that I can prove political persecution through unjust prosecution."
"Dito sa Europa, unheard of 'yung may warrant of arrest na indefinite ang lifetime," he said. "I am confident that I can prove political persecution through unjust prosecution."
ADVERTISEMENT
Speaking to TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said Roque must prove that his allegations of political persecution are well founded before he is granted asylum.
Speaking to TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said Roque must prove that his allegations of political persecution are well founded before he is granted asylum.
She noted that evidence showing Roque’s links to POGOs “just fell into the hands of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission” during its investigation into POGO operations.
She noted that evidence showing Roque’s links to POGOs “just fell into the hands of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission” during its investigation into POGO operations.
“Lahat ng ebidensya na nagpapakita diumano na siya ay involved sa POGO ay lumagpak lang sa kamay ng PAOCC. Nung sila ay nag imbestiga sa Lucky South 99, dun lang nakita ‘yung dokumento at lumabas ang pangalang Harry Roque,” she said.
“Lahat ng ebidensya na nagpapakita diumano na siya ay involved sa POGO ay lumagpak lang sa kamay ng PAOCC. Nung sila ay nag imbestiga sa Lucky South 99, dun lang nakita ‘yung dokumento at lumabas ang pangalang Harry Roque,” she said.
Lucky South 99, located in Porac, Pampanga, was raided by Philippine law enforcers last year due to suspected criminal activities such as human trafficking and torture.
Lucky South 99, located in Porac, Pampanga, was raided by Philippine law enforcers last year due to suspected criminal activities such as human trafficking and torture.
PAOCC Spokesperson Winston John Casio later revealed authorities found several documents bearing Roque’s signature during the raid.
PAOCC Spokesperson Winston John Casio later revealed authorities found several documents bearing Roque’s signature during the raid.
Roque was implicated in the POGO controversy for accompanying and helping Cassandra Li Ong, an official of Whirlwind and Lucky South 99 gaming firm, to pay off arrears totaling USD500,000.
Roque was implicated in the POGO controversy for accompanying and helping Cassandra Li Ong, an official of Whirlwind and Lucky South 99 gaming firm, to pay off arrears totaling USD500,000.
He has admitted, on record, to being a lawyer for Whirlwind, the company that is leasing its Porac compound to Lucky South 99.
He has admitted, on record, to being a lawyer for Whirlwind, the company that is leasing its Porac compound to Lucky South 99.
He has also admitted that he owns part of a corporation that owns a house in Tuba, Benguet where 2 foreign nationals were arrested over alleged visa violations.
He has also admitted that he owns part of a corporation that owns a house in Tuba, Benguet where 2 foreign nationals were arrested over alleged visa violations.
Roque has also evaded the QuadComm hearings and failed to submit subpoenaed documents include his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth and records connected to his family firm, Biancham Holdings, as well as a land transaction in Parañaque City.
Roque has also evaded the QuadComm hearings and failed to submit subpoenaed documents include his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth and records connected to his family firm, Biancham Holdings, as well as a land transaction in Parañaque City.
“Nung nagkaroon ng hearing sa QuadComm, siya mismo ang nagsabi na siya - ang mga dokumento niya kumpleto ito - may BIR, ‘yung auntie niya pinamanahan siya dapat may extrajudicial settlement of estate, BIR of course to prove na bayad ang estate tax, ‘yung SALN niya, lahat ito supposed to be hindi na dapat private,” Castro said.
“Nung nagkaroon ng hearing sa QuadComm, siya mismo ang nagsabi na siya - ang mga dokumento niya kumpleto ito - may BIR, ‘yung auntie niya pinamanahan siya dapat may extrajudicial settlement of estate, BIR of course to prove na bayad ang estate tax, ‘yung SALN niya, lahat ito supposed to be hindi na dapat private,” Castro said.
The Palace official said the Department of Justice has not discussed whether or not to contest Roque’s petition for asylum or even to revoke his passport.
The Palace official said the Department of Justice has not discussed whether or not to contest Roque’s petition for asylum or even to revoke his passport.
“Sa ngayon po, walang napapag-usapan tungkol kay Harry Roque,” she said.
“Sa ngayon po, walang napapag-usapan tungkol kay Harry Roque,” she said.
She said the Prosecutor's Office has yet to recommend the filing of human trafficking charges against Roque.
She said the Prosecutor's Office has yet to recommend the filing of human trafficking charges against Roque.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT