Former Presidential spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque on Thursday said he will not force the Duterte family to select him as part of Rodrigo Duterte's legal team as the former president faces the International Criminal Court.

The Dutertes have decided to stick with their decision to have British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman as their lead counsel.

Roque said he respects the Dutertes' decision. 

"Bahala po pumili ang President Duterte. Pero ako po ha, kung ayaw ni VP Sara at gusto ni VP sara na iba ang magrepresent mam that's your call," said the former presidential spokesperson in a Facebook video.

Roque, one of the only five Filipino lawyers recognized by the ICC, said that even if the elder Duterte chooses him, he will still need the endorsement of his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.

"Hindi ko naman ipagpipilitan ang sarili ko at kung ako irerequest ni PRRD, importante rin na iindorso ako at irequest din ako ni VP Sara... kasi talaga ako'y taga sunod ni VP Sara. At iyan po ay walang kaplastikan," he said.

"Kita nyo nga sumunod ako sa Uniteam anong nangyari," he quipped, alluding to the ongoing political rift between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the younger Duterte.

"Kung gusto n'ya lahat dayuhan, I will bow to it at intindihin natin na hindi lang si PRRD ang magdedesisyon kundi si VP Sara din dahil siya naman ay abogada rin," he said.

Kaufman is in the process of assembling a legal team composed of a co-counsel, legal assistant, investigator and a case manager.

Roque, together with former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea were initially part of Duterte's legal team in the ICC.

But the Vice President said they needed somebody who has experience on the ground, hence their decision to choose Kaufman.

Medialdea, Roque will not be part of Duterte's legal team, says VP Sara

"Unang-una, his team is headed by Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, and then … meron pa akong mga kakausapin na mga lawyers 'no. Meron pang darating na isang abugado, i-interview ko siya para sumali sa team. And then, once maayos na yung team for ICC, magwi-withdraw si Atty. Medialdea kasi meron lang limited na mga slots for lawyers, and we want all the lawyers on board na merong ICC experience," said Duterte earlier week.

Roque is facing an arrest order for skipping a House inquiry into Philippine offshore gaming operators. He said Monday he would apply for asylum in the Netherlands.

Roque has also been 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.

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.

“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.

Palace denies political persecution vs Harry Roque