Harry Roque submits counter-affidavit from Abu Dhabi

Harry Roque

MANILA, Philippines — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque submitted his counter-affidavit—on the qualified human trafficking complaints filed against him—from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates,  the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Tuesday.

The human trafficking complaints stemmed from Roque’s alleged “active participation” in the operations of the raided Lucky South 99, a Pogo firm in Porac, Pampanga suspected of engaging in illegal activities.

In his 22-page counter-affidavit, Roque moved to dismiss the complaints, tagging it as mere “political harassment” and claiming that there is no evidence to implicate him.

According to Prosecutor-General Richard Anthony Fadullon, Roque subscribed to his documents dated November 29, 2024 in Abu Dhabi.

“A counter-affidavit was submitted by the lawyers of Harry Roque. It would appear that he had a document which was notarized, pero doon siya sa Abu Dhabi,” he told reporters in a chance interview.

Hence, Fadullon said a hearing will be held sometime before Dec. 16 to “clarify certain issues.”

“The purpose is to clarify certain issues and find out really where Mr. Harry Roque is at this point in time,” he said.

Asked why a clarificatory hearing is still necessary, the prosecutor-general explained that under the DOJ’s rules, the prosecutor must determine the counter-affidavit’s validity.

“Even if he submits a counter affidavit through his lawyers, hindi ibig sabihin na tatanggapin nilang kaagad ng panel niya. Kasi number one, wala siya sa jurisdiction ng aming panel dito sa Pilipinas,” said Fadullon.

(Even if he submits a counter affidavit through his lawyers, it does not mean that they will be accepted by the panel immediately. Because number one, he is not under the jurisdiction of our panel here in the Philippines.)

“The only way that we can consider that is if he executes the affidavit and has it notarized or apostilled before the embassy of the country where he is at that particular time,” he added.

(The only way that we can consider that is if he executes the affidavit and has it notarized or apostilled before the embassy of the country where he is at that particular time.)

Meanwhile, Roque confirmed in a press conference the same day that he was indeed in Abu Dhabi when he notarized his counter affidavit, stating: “Sinumpaan ko [ang counter-affidavit] sa harap ng Philippine consulate embassy sa Abu Dhabi.”

(I swore [the counter-affidavit] before the Philippine consulate embassy in Abu Dhabi.)

Roque, however, clarified that he is no longer in Abu Dhabi, but is still outside the Philippines.

The human trafficking complaints stemmed from Roque’s alleged “active participation” in the operations of the raided Lucky South 99, a Pogo firm in Porac, Pampanga suspected of engaging in illegal activities.

In his 22-page counter-affidavit, Roque moved to dismiss the complaints, tagging it as mere “political harassment” and claiming that there is no evidence to implicate him.