Makabayan bloc to ask House quad comm to counter Roque’s asylum bid

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque  (PHOTO FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FB PAGE)

MANILA, Philippines  — The Makabayan bloc will urge the House of Representatives’ quad committee to counter former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s asylum application in the Netherlands, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said on Tuesday.

Castro, in a press briefing said that one of their primary concerns is having the quad committee block Roque’s asylum bid, as he has to answer first pending issues related to the four panels’ investigation of his alleged link to Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).

“Soon ‘yata magkakaroon din ng meeting ulit, hearing ulit ng quad comm.  At ‘yon nga, maaaring pag-usapan din ‘yong pabibigay siguro doon sa bansa na hinihingan niya ng asylum ng advice kung sakali, o recommendation not to give Harry Roque the asylum,” Castro said.

(I think there will be a quad committee hearing soon, and there, we may discuss this application for asylum, a possible advice for the country or recommendation not to grant Harry Roque the asylum.)

“Pangunahin (na kahilingan) natin ‘yong pagharang, through the quad comm, na harangan itong pag-seek ni Harry Roque ng asylum doon sa Netherlands kasi doon sa mga batayan na dapat niya munang sagutin ‘yong mga issues na naka-pending sa quad comm,” she added.

 (This will be the Makabayan’s primary request, that we block, through the quad comm, this asylum application of Harry Roque at the Netherlands on the basis that he has to first answer the issues pending before the quad committee.)

According to Castro, the stand of the quad committee may be coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs, as it may be a government-to-government discussion.

Roque, spokesperson of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was cited for contempt by the quad committee last September 2024 after he refused to comply with documents that were deemed essential to the investigation of his alleged link to Pogos.

Last March 14, however, Roque was spotted with Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Robinhood Padilla at the Hague, in the Netherlands, where former President Duterte was scheduled to stand trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Aside from lawyering for Duterte, Roque revealed that he will file a formal application to seek asylum in the Netherlands.

Earlier, Castro also said that Roque does not have the moral ground to file for asylum, as he was one of the people who cheered on Duterte while the latter allegedly tolerated human rights violations during the drug war.

Castro hopes Filipinos in the Netherlands — or whatever country Roque would seek asylum in — would also consult the Philippine government about the former Malacañang official’s case.

“Well I hope the country that he seeks asylum in would also get advice from the Philippine government.  Like I said, I hope Filipinos in the country where he would apply for asylum, including the entire Europe, would speak against this application.”

Two companies where Roque is being linked – Biancham Holdings and PH2 Corporation, were scrutinized by the quad committee for alleged links to Lucky South 99, the Pogo hub in Porac, Pampanga which was raided last June 4 for human trafficking issues.

 Quad committee lead presiding officer and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers also noted that two illegal aliens working for Pogos were arrested in a Tuba, Benguet residence — a house that Roque admitted to partly-owning. (With reports from Keith Irish Clores, trainee)