Duterte’s Former Spox Harry Roque Defends Decision To Stay Overseas
HARRY ROQUE – The former spokesman of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte aired his personal reflection over the year 2025.
Roque is staying overseas for a year now. He went into hiding after the House of Representatives ordered his arrest for contempt amid the investigation on his alleged involvement in the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operations in the country.
Harry Roque only appeared in public again when former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte was brought to The Hague, Netherlands for the transfer of his custody to the International Criminal Court. It was last March 11, 2025 when Duterte was arrested by the Philippine authorities who assisted the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
On the same day of his arrest, Duterte was flown out of the country for the transfer of his custody to the ICC. He is currently detained at the ICC detention center in The Hague. Previously, his former spokesman, Harry Roque, claimed that the freeze order of the United States on the ICC assets might allegedly affect the food and medicine supplies of Duterte. According to him, the best solution is to abolish the foreign court so the former President can go home.
With regards to his overseas stay, Harry Roque previously claimed that he cannot forgive Pres. Bongbong Marcos for allegedly causing the distance between him and his family. According to him, he will only return to the Philippines after the term of the Chief Executive ends.
Harry Roque previously slammed Marcos Jr. saying that the “real issue” is allegedly his supposed being corrupt and “bangag”. He has called on the President to step down from his position several times and let Vice Pres. Sara Duterte or “someone with the right mindset” take over.
Recently, Harry Roque aired his personal reflection for the year 2025. Based on a post on social media, Duterte’s former Spokesman stressed that he allegedly did not want to stay for a year in a foreign country but it is supposedly the only way for him to protect himself from the Marcos Jr. administration.
“Isang buong taon po ako na nanirahan sa isang dayuhang bansa. Hindi ko po ginusto to pero ito po ‘yung tanging pamamaraan para mataguyod ko naman po ang aking karapatang pantao sa kabila ng panggigipit, pagsasampa ng mga tanim-kaso, at paninira na dinanas ko sa kamay po ng administrasyon ng vangag na Marcos Jr.,” Roque said based on the post.
Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque further expressed that he is away from his family and loved ones for a year already. He also stressed that he has no income for a year and has not practiced his profession as a lawyer.
“Isang taon din po akong nawalay sa aking pamilya, sa aking mga mahal sa buhay. Isang taon po akong nawalan ng hanapbuhay. Hindi ko po nai-pratice ang aking propesyon,” Duterte’s former Spox said.
Previously, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that Harry Roque allegedly has health problems.