VP not part of Duterte’s legal team – Roque

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte will not be part of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal team, according to former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

In a press conference on Monday, Roque clarified that the Vice President only seeks to be listed as legal counsel to the former president, not to represent her father before the International Criminal Court (ICC), but only so that she becomes closer to him.

“Kung mag-a-apply si VP Sara, it’s only because she needs access to the [former] president and as a family member, mukhang every visit requires communication with the detention facility,” he explained.

(If VP Sara applies, it’s only because she needs access to the [former] president and as a family member, it seems that every visit requires communication with the detention facility.)

READ: PNP reiterates commitment to help Interpol implement ICC arrest orders

In a separate video explainer also posted on her Facebook page on Monday, Roque stressed that the vice president will not serve as her father’s lawyer before the international tribunal.

“Hindi po magiging abogado ng presidente si VP Sara dahil po sa Saligang-Batas natin ay mayroong pagbabawal sa pag practice ng probisyon. Ang kanyang karapatan pong bumisita ay bilang anak,” said Roque.

(VP Sara will not be the [former] president’s lawyer because our Constitution prohibits her from practicing law. Her right to visit is as his child.)

“Uulitin ko po, hindi siya papasok bilang abogado,” he added.

(I repeat, she will not enter as a lawyer.)

Duterte was arrested on March 11 by the power of an arrest warrant issued by the ICC.

The warrant was based on the grounds of crimes against humanity he allegedly committed during his administration when he waged war against illegal drugs.

President Marcos, for his part, earlier brushed off claims that Duterte’s arrest was a political persecution.

According to the president, the government only complied with Interpol.