Palace on Roque asylum: Accused must face allegations, clear name

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday said individuals facing allegations should confront the issues against them and present evidence to clear their names, as questions over the status of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s asylum application surfaced.

On Tuesday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced that Roque’s asylum application in Europe had been denied — a statement that Roque disputed several hours later.

READ: Roque disputes Remulla, says Austria asylum bid still pending

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But Palace press officer Claire Castro said Roque, as well as anyone facing an issue or allegation, should have the courage to confront whatever accusations are being raised against them, particularly if they know they are innocent.

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“So, hindi puwedeng gamitin ang impluwensiya, ang lakas, ang taumbayan para makaiwas ka sa mga ibinabato sa iyo,” she said.

(So, you cannot use your influence, power, or the people to avoid facing the allegations being thrown at you.)

Castro also said, “Harapin at ipakita mo iyong sarili mong ebidensiya na maaari mong magamit para malinis ang iyong pangalan. So, ito po ay in general nating masasabi sa mga taong maaaring inaakusahan ng anumang aksiyon or anumang krimen na nagawa diumano.”

(Face the accusations and present your own evidence that you can use to clear your name. So, this is something we can say in general about people who may be accused of any action or alleged crime that they are supposedly responsible for.)

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Meanwhile, Castro cautioned that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) should not disclose its plans if it intends to undertake further legal operations concerning Roque’s case.

“Kung si Sec. Jonvic po ang nagbalita nito, so hayaan po nating si Secretary Jonvic ang sumagot patungkol dito sa inaakusa ni Harry Roque,” she responded when asked for Roque’s denial that his asylum request has been denied.

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(If Secretary Jonvic was the one who reported this, then let Secretary Jonvic respond to Harry Roque’s accusation.)

“At kung mayroong ibang mga legal na operasyon na gagawin ang DILG, definitely mayroon tayong kasabihan na ‘do not telegraph your punches.’ So, hayaan na lang po nating si Secretary Jonvic ang sumagot patungkol diyan,” Castro continued.

(And if the DILG has other legal operations that it plans to undertake, we definitely have a saying: “Do not telegraph your punches.” So, let’s just allow Secretary Jonvic to respond to that.)

“Do not telegraph your punches” means you should not show your intentions or give a warning before you make a move, so your opponent cannot anticipate and react to it.

Roque applied for asylum in Austria, citing political persecution and a desire to protect himself from potential arrest and extradition in connection with his legal troubles in the Philippines.

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He is wanted in connection with qualified human trafficking charges linked to an alleged Philippine offshore gaming operator in Pampanga. /mr