FILE PHOTO: Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque/ Screenshot from PCOO Facebook video
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s inclusion in the International Law Commission (ILC) would only “diminish” the reputation of the United Nations body, the University of the Philippines Diliman Executive Committee said on Tuesday.
Although Roque was a former faculty member of the state university, having taught international law there for 15 years, the UP Diliman panel said it resolved during its 314th meeting on Monday to oppose Roque’s nomination to the ILC because the UN body “would not serve its purposes” if it selects President Rodrigo Duterte’s mouthpiece as its member.
Aside from teaching in UP, Roque was also director of the Institute of International Legal Studies at the UP Law Center and president of the Asian Society of International Law.
“Atty. Roque has a very poor track record of promoting, defending, and fulfilling human rights and the rule of law, especially during the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte in which he serves as a cabinet member,” said the UP Diliman Executive Committee in a statement.
“Therefore, his inclusion in the Commission would not serve its purposes but instead diminish the reputation of the body,” it added.
Statement of the UP Diliman Executive Committee on the Nomination of Atty. Herminio “Harry” L. Roque, Jr. to a Seat in the International Law Commission pic.twitter.com/YaLbqMcdQO
— UP Diliman (@Official_UPD) September 14, 2021
Roque, in an online press briefing from New York City, said the Philippine government nominated him for a post in the ILC, which members are elected by the United Nations General Assembly. Roque said he is among 11 candidates from the Asia-Pacific region, which was allotted eight seats in the UN body.
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