Roque to file motion for reconsideration on canceled passport
Former presidential spokesman and lawyer Harry Roque (MB File Photo)
Lawyer Harry Roque, whose passport has been canceled amid human trafficking charges filed against him, said that he will file a motion for reconsideration as he sought prayers following what he claimed to be politically charged allegations.
“The decision to cancel my passport is not yet final and we will file a motion for reconsideration,” his statement on Tuesday, Nov. 25, read.
“While we respect the decision of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court, I disagree with the court’s reasoning that I have ‘not given any acceptable reason why I remain outside of the Philippines’,” he added.
The former presidential spokesman also sought for “prayers” amid the charges, stressing that his faith has made him stronger.
"I am a creature of prayer. Hindi naman po 'ko tatagal na wala sa Pilipinas... kung hindi ako nananampalataya sa ating Panginoon (I will not last long outside the Philippines… if I don’t have a strong belief in our Lord),” he said in a live video.
Roque explained that he is currently seeking asylum in the Netherlands after leaving the Philippines in November last year because of his political beliefs “as an outspoken Duterte ally.”
Stressing that “the right to seek asylum is a recognized human right,” Roque shared that his application for asylum is ongoing and that “I will continue to stand up for the truth, good governance and the quest for a better Philippines.”
Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 157 announced the cancellation of passports of Roque, Lucky 99 Representative Cassandra Ong, and three other individuals amid human trafficking charges filed against them due to the continuous probe on the alleged illegal activities involving Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in Porac, Pampanga.
According to the authorities, the case stemmed from the rescue of 158 foreign employees from the Lucky 99 scam hub, where they suffered from severe torture, kidnapping, and sex trafficking.