The camp of Harry Roque requested an extension for filing his counter-affidavit on the qualified human trafficking complaint linked to the Porac POGO operation.
The Department of Justice believes that the counter-affidavit Harry Roque will submit could be a strong indicator of his whereabouts.
Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said this, as DOJ accommodated interviews on the former presidential spokesperson's failure to submit a counter-affidavit when they launched a preliminary probe on the case last November 29, 2024.
Clavano said Roque's camp committed to submit it on December 3.
"Interesting po yan dahil titingnan po natin yung subscription, kung saan siya nag-subscribe. Dahil kung nag-subscribe siya dito sa Pilipinas, then malalaman po natin na nandito pa siya sa Pilipinas. Kung wala po siyang ifafile, then it gives more reason for us to believe na wala na po siya dito sa Pilipinas (It’s interesting because it all boils down to where he’ll subscribe. Because if he subscribed in the Philippines, we will find out if he is still in the Philippines. If he doesn’t file, it gives us more reason to believe that he is not in the Philippines)," Clavano said, as reported by ABS-CBN News.
Roque has been the subject of an arrest order for contempt from the House of Representatives for his ties to the alleged illegal POGO operation at Porac town in Pampanga. The camp of lawyer Harry Roque has requested for more time to file his counter-affidavit.
Reports of Roque’s whereabouts have been conflicting so far, with Immigration saying he is still in the Philippines, while the NBI believes otherwise. Vice President Sara Duterte also previously hinted at Roque leaving the country.
"'Yung karagdagang mga respondents po sa ating kaso gaya po ni Harry Roque ay hindi po nag-file. They are asking for some time baka sa December 3 po sila magfa-file ng counter-affidavit (The other respondents in our case like Harry Roque did not file. They are asking for some time, maybe on December 3 they will file their counter-affidavit)," Clavano said in an ambush interview, as quoted by GMA News.
Roque failed to submit his counter-affidavit when DOH launched its preliminary probe on the case last November 29. Roque's lawyer then requested to submit this on Tuesday, December 3 instead.
Clavano said it's up to the prosecutors whether Roque needs to show up in person to sign his counter-affidavit. He added that sometimes, they let people sign remotely if there's a good reason.
"Minsan ho ay pinapayagan po nila for justifiable ground. Ngunit hindi po natin masasabi 'yan, decision po 'yan ng panel of prosecutors," he explained.
Read related article: Immigration, NBI Give Conflicting Info on Harry Roque Location
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