Laude lawyer faces disbarment

Lawyer Harry Roque. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday filed a disbarment complaint against lawyer Harry Roque, the lead counsel for the family of slain Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude, for “grave misconduct” while inside Camp Aguinaldo last Oct. 22.

Brig. Gen. Arthur Ang, commander of the AFP-General Headquarters and Headquarters Service Command (GHQ & HSC), signed the complaint against Roque for violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility.

Officials from the AFP’s Judge Advocate General’s Office (Jago) hand-carried the complaint to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).

According to the AFP, Roque entered the camp through the AFP Public Affairs Office (PAO) but hid his client, German national Marc Sueselbeck, who was with him.

While inside the camp, Sueselbeck, the victim’s fiancé, and Marilou Laude, the victim’s sister, climbed over the perimeter fence of the off-limits facility to see Laude’s alleged killer, US Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was detained there.

Sueselbeck shoved a Filipino soldier on duty. Ang had to intercede and asked Roque and other unwanted visitors, including media members, to leave the restricted area.

AFP Chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang earlier expressed disappointment over Roque’s behavior and ordered Jago to file a disbarment case against Roque, saying the latter set a bad example to other lawyers by violating camp rules and regulations.

The AFP decided not to file a case against Sueselbeck to enable him to leave the country but asked the Bureau of Immigration to blacklist the German to prohibit his return to the country.

“As a lawyer, Attorney Roque is, at all times, subject to the watchful public eye and community approbation,” said Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, chief of the AFP-PAO.

“He is bound to maintain and live up to the standards of the legal profession not only in keeping a high regard of legal proficiency, which he undoubtedly possesses, but also of distinct high regard for morality, honesty, integrity and fair dealing,” he stressed.

Lawyer Vicente M. Joyas, the IBP national president, said the complaint would be raffled off to the different commissioners who will hear the case. The commissioner in charge shall then make a recommendation to the Board of Governors, which will vote whether to affirm or reject the recommendation.

Joyas assured the public the IBP would be neutral to both parties.

“We will always be fair in the resolution of the case,” he said. “We will resolve it. We will act fast, and we will come out with a resolution in due time.”