Hontiveros rebukes elusive Roque
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque
MANILA, Philippines — “Kung talagang travel lang yan, bakit iligal ang pag-alis mo sa bansa – at bakit ayaw mo nang bumalik dito, Harry Roque?”
(If that’s only for travel, why did you leave the country through illegal means and why don’t you like to go back, Harry Roque?)
Sen. Risa Hontiveros couldn’t help but blurt this question on Wednesday after former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that he is not fleeing from Philippine authorities because he is not a fugitive and he has a right to travel.
In a post on Facebook, Roque argued that there was no warrant of arrest issued against him.
Citing Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Roque said he is only “being pursued not as a criminal but as a resource person.”
Article continues after this advertisementThis, however, did not sit well with Hontiveros.
Article continues after this advertisement“Travel lang ba talaga yang ginagawa ni Atty. Harry Roque, o paglabag na sa batas ng Pilipinas? Hindi ba pagtakas iyan?” said Hontiveros in a statement on Wednesday.
(Is that only for travel or is that a violation of Philippine laws? Isn’t that fleeing?)
“In his own words, he explains his extended disappearance as flight from a congressional contempt. That is a clear admission of his liability for the crime of disobedience to summons by Congress under Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code,” she emphasized.
According to the opposition lawmaker, it is extremely ironic that Roque is talking about his right to travel, when the Bureau of Immigration has declared that it is studying the filing of cases against him for leaving the country via illegal means.
“Ayon nga sa BI, malamang ay gumamit si Roque ng falsified immigration clearances para makapasok sa iba’t-ibang bansa, o di kaya ay tinutulungan ng masasamang indibidwal,” said Hontiveros.
(BI said Roque most likely used falsified immigration clearances or he was helped by erring individuals in order to enter various countries.)
“That is on top of the qualified human trafficking complaint he is already facing in connection to his ties to the massive, crime-ridden POGO complex in Porac, Pampanga,” she added.
During the Senate subcommittee on justice and human rights’ hearing on Tuesday, Hontiveros questioned Roque’s whereabouts.
The Bureau of Immigration, during the inquiry, said Roque attempted to go to the United States, but failed to do so after being held in Japan.
Apart from this, BI Intelligence Division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said they have no other information at present as to where Roque and his wife Mylah are.
