Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas has advised former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to come back home to the Philippines especially now that he wasn't chosen to be part of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte's defense team at The Hague.
'Wala ka ambag diyan': Brosas taunts Roque for not being picked to defend Duterte
At a glance
Harry Roque (left), Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas (PPAB)
"Wala ka ambag diyan, uwi ka na (You have no contribution there, just go home)."
This was the advice-slash-taunt issued by senatorial candidate Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas to former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who according to reports wasn't chosen to be part of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte's defense team at The Hague.
"Mr. Roque should stop pretending to be a human rights lawyer and face the contempt order issued against him by the Congressional quad-committee," said Brosas, a member of the Makabayan bloc.
The Hague in the Netherlands is the site of ICC, which is holding a trial with Duterte for the charge of crimes against humanity in connection with his bloody war on drugs.
Roque, Duterte's former Palace mouthpiece, is at The Hague, claiming to be part of Duterte’s group of defense lawyers.
But Brosas says that Vice President Sara Duterte herself has bared that Roque's services won't be needed by her embattled father. Vice President rushed to The Hague last week after her dad was brought there.
"Nagtatago sa mga alegasyon ng korapsyon at pagkakadawit sa POGO operations, tapos bigla na lang magpapakita sa The Hague? (He's hiding because of allegations of corruption and involvement in POGO operations, and now he suddenly surfaces at The Hague?)" Brosas said of Roque.
"This is a desperate attempt to divert public attention from the serious allegations against him regarding his involvement with Lucky South 99 and his unexplained wealth," she said.
Brosas pointed out that the lawyer, who was cited in contempt and ordered detained by the House quad-comm last Sept. 13, should prioritize clearing his name through proper legal channels.
"Tama na ang publicity stunts (Enougho publicity stunts). Roque should stop trying to be relevant and come home, face the Congressional inquiry, and submit the required documents explaining his wealth. Kung wala siyang tinatago, bakit siya nagtatago? (If he has nothig to hide, then why is he hiding?)" she wondered.
"His sudden appearance in The Hague while evading accountability at home only demonstrates his utter disregard for Philippine legal processes," the militant solon further said.