DOJ Chief Boying Remulla Speaks on Harry Roque over ICC Issue of Former Pres. Duterte
REMULLA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary called former presidential spokesman Harry Roque “irrelevant” in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s issue in the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is currently detained in the Hague, Netherlands. He was arresred over a week ago and was flown to Dubai en route for the Netherlands on the same day of his arrest. The Philippine government said it acted on the arrest of the former President due to its commitment with the Interpol.
The following day after the arrest of former Pres. Duterte, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte flew to Hague, Netherlands to support her father. However, what surprised the public was the presence of former presidential spokesman Harry Roque who was seemingly hiding for several months now since the House of Representatives cited him for contempt.
The House ordered the detention of Roque for failing to submit the documents that will explain the growth of his wealth. In a previous pronouncement, Roque said he will be part of the legal team of former Pres. Duterte.
Atty. Harry Roque said he will seek asylum at the Netherlands to defend former Pres. Duterte. He is one of the Filipino lawyers who are accredited by the ICC. However, the former presidential spokesperson’s recent pronouncements without speaking on the issue against him in the Philippines did not sit well with many people.
Recently, Department of Justice Secretary Boying Remulla called former presidential spokesman Harry Roque “irrelevant”. Based on a report on GMA News, he stressed that Roque is allegedly not needed in the situation of the former President abroad.
“He’s irrelevant here. Sinisiksik niya ‘yung mukha niya para maging relevant siya. Hindi naman siya kailangan dito,” Remulla said of Roque.
Shortly after Harry Roque made a vow to bring former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte home to the Philippines, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte announced that Roque and former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea won’t be part of her father’s legal team.
According to the Vice President, they want the lawyers for the legal team of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte to be really focused on the ICC trial of her father. She stressed that they want Roque to focus on seeking for asylum if he does.
DOJ chief Boying Remulla dared Roque to face the accusations against him in the Philippines. He stressed that nothing has happened yet and he is allegedly escaping already.