House quad comm co-chair rejects Roque's claim of persecution
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House quad comm co-chair rejects Roque's claim of persecution
Atty. Harry Roque, September 7, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File
Atty. Harry Roque, September 7, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File MANILA – House Quad Committee lead chairperson Rep. Robert Ace Barbers rejected lawyer Harry Roque's claims of political persecution.
MANILA – House Quad Committee lead chairperson Rep. Robert Ace Barbers rejected lawyer Harry Roque's claims of political persecution.
Roque, who served two stints as former president Rodrigo Duterte's Palace spokesman, left the Philippines in September after being cited for contempt for refusing to attend quad comm hearings into offshore gambling sites used as fronts for criminal activities.
Roque, who served two stints as former president Rodrigo Duterte's Palace spokesman, left the Philippines in September after being cited for contempt for refusing to attend quad comm hearings into offshore gambling sites used as fronts for criminal activities.
He has sought asylum in the Netherlands, citing alleged political persecution through unjust prosecution.
He has sought asylum in the Netherlands, citing alleged political persecution through unjust prosecution.
"We're not persecuting him. In the first place, he's not a very important political figure. The only reason why he's not attending the hearings is because he actually, in an open hearing, promised to submit documents to disprove the allegations against him," Barbers said in an online interview on Tuesday.
"We're not persecuting him. In the first place, he's not a very important political figure. The only reason why he's not attending the hearings is because he actually, in an open hearing, promised to submit documents to disprove the allegations against him," Barbers said in an online interview on Tuesday.
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"At hindi ko alam bakit niya naisip na this is all political persecution. Dahil nung una pa naman siya maingay, hindi pa siya nakakalis kung pinersecute siya, matagal na siya na-persecute," he said.
"At hindi ko alam bakit niya naisip na this is all political persecution. Dahil nung una pa naman siya maingay, hindi pa siya nakakalis kung pinersecute siya, matagal na siya na-persecute," he said.
Roque has denied links to raided POGO Lucky South 99 and cases have yet to be filed in court.
Roque has denied links to raided POGO Lucky South 99 and cases have yet to be filed in court.
Barbers said the mega panel has yet to discuss its moves on calls to block Roque's asylum bid.
Barbers said the mega panel has yet to discuss its moves on calls to block Roque's asylum bid.
"Kailangan makita rin muna natin ano ba yung kanyang ginamit na basehan sa kanyang request… And then from there siguro baka doon na kami mag-aksyon, kung kinakailangan umaksyon. But I think on the merits of his request baka hindi naman siya pagbigyan because there's no sign of political persecution against him," he added.
"Kailangan makita rin muna natin ano ba yung kanyang ginamit na basehan sa kanyang request… And then from there siguro baka doon na kami mag-aksyon, kung kinakailangan umaksyon. But I think on the merits of his request baka hindi naman siya pagbigyan because there's no sign of political persecution against him," he added.
When asked to respond to Roque's recent statements, the lawmaker urged him to come home and face the allegations against him.
When asked to respond to Roque's recent statements, the lawmaker urged him to come home and face the allegations against him.
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"Alam mo, ganyan talaga kapag desperado na, na-iipit na. Ang totoo naman, the reason why he's running away is because ayaw niyang i-presenta ang mga dokumentong hiningi sa kanya dahil mabubuking siya. Yung kanyang involvement dito sa iligal na POGO, sa pag- abogado niya dito sa mga iligal na gawain," Barbers said.
"Alam mo, ganyan talaga kapag desperado na, na-iipit na. Ang totoo naman, the reason why he's running away is because ayaw niyang i-presenta ang mga dokumentong hiningi sa kanya dahil mabubuking siya. Yung kanyang involvement dito sa iligal na POGO, sa pag- abogado niya dito sa mga iligal na gawain," Barbers said.
"Kung siya ay walang kinalaman o siya ay hindi guilty doon sa kanyang involvement dito sa mga illegal na pogo na ito, eh ba't ka nagtatago? Di ba? Huwag ka magtago. Andami mong sinasabi, andami mong kuda," he added.
"Kung siya ay walang kinalaman o siya ay hindi guilty doon sa kanyang involvement dito sa mga illegal na pogo na ito, eh ba't ka nagtatago? Di ba? Huwag ka magtago. Andami mong sinasabi, andami mong kuda," he added.
Barbers noted the contempt order against Roque is only valid for the 19th Congress.
Barbers noted the contempt order against Roque is only valid for the 19th Congress.
"If 19th Congress ends, therefore wala na kaming power to implement the contempt order… Siguro ang ahensya na ng ating gobyerno ang gagawa ng susunod na mga hakbang," he said.
"If 19th Congress ends, therefore wala na kaming power to implement the contempt order… Siguro ang ahensya na ng ating gobyerno ang gagawa ng susunod na mga hakbang," he said.
Meanwhile, lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc said they would follow whatever will be the move of the House of Representatives on the matter.
Meanwhile, lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc said they would follow whatever will be the move of the House of Representatives on the matter.
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"Remember merong impending na House, parang arrest warrant ng House of Representatives kay Harry Roque. So doon kami sumusunod na doon sa magiging aksyon ng Kongreso at yun ay pinaproseso pa dahil may usapin kasi dito na siyempre sa ibang bansa, diplomatic. Kaya kailangan na maproseso ito ng legal kung paano," ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said in a separate online interview on Tuesday.
"Remember merong impending na House, parang arrest warrant ng House of Representatives kay Harry Roque. So doon kami sumusunod na doon sa magiging aksyon ng Kongreso at yun ay pinaproseso pa dahil may usapin kasi dito na siyempre sa ibang bansa, diplomatic. Kaya kailangan na maproseso ito ng legal kung paano," ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said in a separate online interview on Tuesday.
Castro earlier said the Makabayan bloc would block Roque's bid for asylum.
Castro earlier said the Makabayan bloc would block Roque's bid for asylum.
Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said they would have to consult counterparts overseas on their next move regarding Roque's asylum application.
Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said they would have to consult counterparts overseas on their next move regarding Roque's asylum application.
"In the first place, hindi naman tayo naniniwala na pinapersecute si Harry Roque. In fact, under the Duterte administration, bahagi siya ng mga nagpersecute, ng mga nagpahirap sa mga kababayan," Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel said.
"In the first place, hindi naman tayo naniniwala na pinapersecute si Harry Roque. In fact, under the Duterte administration, bahagi siya ng mga nagpersecute, ng mga nagpahirap sa mga kababayan," Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel said.
"It would not be a good sign na ang isang taong magpapavictim at hindi umaako rin sa naging mga papel niya under the Duterte admin ay magpapakanlong sa ibang mga bansa, kahit saan bansa man yan," he added.
"It would not be a good sign na ang isang taong magpapavictim at hindi umaako rin sa naging mga papel niya under the Duterte admin ay magpapakanlong sa ibang mga bansa, kahit saan bansa man yan," he added.
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Last Friday, Roque said he felt relief staying in the Netherlands after filing an asylum petition.
Last Friday, Roque said he felt relief staying in the Netherlands after filing an asylum petition.
He said he could not be deported until the process of application is finished, which usually takes about one and a half years.
He said he could not be deported until the process of application is finished, which usually takes about one and a half years.
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