MANILA: Malacanang on Friday (June 20) told former Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (pic) to “wait and see” when the government will bring him back to the Philippines.
This was the response of Palace press officer Claire Castro to Roque’s question on why the government allegedly cannot get him out of The Netherlands and back to the country.
“According to the DOJ [Department of Justice], they are simply waiting for a formal notice regarding his asylum. If he is saying, `Come and get me,’ then the government’s response is: `Wait and see,’” Castro, speaking in mixed Filipino and English, said at a briefing.
She also hit out at Roque for calling the DOJ’s announcement of his asylum application rejection “fake news,” warning him not to take the agency’s intelligence and assets lightly.
“He should not underestimate the intelligence and assets of the DOJ, and we will not telegraph the government’s moves the way he does,” said Castro.
Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop said that choosing not to pursue the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte would convey the wrong message—that justice is selective and only applies to the poor and powerless.
Roque’s asylum application in The Netherlands was denied, and he has reportedly applied for another one, this time in Germany, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
He, however, denied this, saying: “I am not surprised that the Marcos Jradministration, through the Department of Justice (DOJ), has become a purveyor of fake news. That’s strike two for the DOJ Secretary. First, he claimed I supposedly have multiple passports. Now, he’s saying my asylum was denied.” - Philippines Daily Inquirer/ANN
