The Palace has urged former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to return to the Philippines and confront the allegations being raised against him.
In a Palace briefing on Wednesday, September 16, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said individuals who believe they have done nothing wrong should have the courage to face the issues against them and present evidence to defend themselves.
“Si Harry Roque? Ang dapat na ginagawa ng bawat Pilipino, kung mayroon mang kinakaharap na usapin at alam niya sa sarili niya na siya ay malinis at walang bahid ng anumang pagkakamali, dapat na maging matapang na harapin kung anuman ang nagiging usapin patungkol sa kaniya. Ito in general po ha, hindi lang para po kay Harry Roque,” Castro said.
She added that influence or public support should not be used to avoid accountability over allegations.
“So, hindi puwedeng gamitin ang impluwensiya, ang lakas, ang taumbayan para makaiwas ka sa mga ibinabato sa inyo,” Castro added.
Castro said Roque should face the accusations and submit his own evidence if he wants to clear his name.
The statement came after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said during a Tuesday morning press briefing that Roque’s asylum application in the Netherlands had been denied.
Roque later disputed Remulla’s statement, describing the report as fake news.
Castro declined to provide further details regarding Roque’s asylum application and said the Department of the Interior and Local Government should respond to the former Palace official’s denial.
“Kung si Sec. Jonvic po ang nagbalita nito, so hayaan po nating si Secretary Jonvic ang sumagot patungkol dito sa inaakusa ni Harry Roque. At kung mayroong ibang mga legal na operasyon na gagawin ang DILG, definitely mayroon tayong kasabihan na ‘do not telegraph your punches’,” Castro said.
“So, hayaan na lang po nating si Secretary Jonvic ang sumagot patungkol diyan,” she added.
In May 2025, the Angeles Regional Trial Court issued arrest warrants for Roque, businesswoman Cassandra Ong and 50 others over alleged involvement in human trafficking linked to the Lucky South 99 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator hub.
The allegations against Roque remain subject to the appropriate legal proceedings.