Manila: Malacanang on Tuesday maintained that former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque's asylum application has no basis in claims of political persecution, stressing that the cases against him are supported by evidence.
According to Philippines News Agency, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier announced that Roque's request for political asylum had been denied, although there has been no official announcement yet from any foreign sovereign state.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said she has yet to discuss the matter with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. but maintained that the criminal cases against Roque were not politically motivated. Castro asserted in a Palace briefing, "Wala pong batayan ang ginawang request ni Harry Roque na sinasabing political persecution lang ang ginagawa sa kanya" (Harry Roque's claim that he is being subjected solely to political persecution has no basis).
Castro further elaborated, "Maliwanag naman po ang kaso, hindi lang qualified human trafficking, mayroon pa atang nakabanta na kaso patungkol sa land grabbing at patungkol din po ata sa tax evasion. So, hindi po ito patungkol sa political persecution, records ang nagsasalita dito. Ebidensiya ang nagsusumigaw" (The case is clear. It is not limited to qualified human trafficking; there also appears to be a pending case involving land grabbing, as well as another case involving tax evasion. So, this is not about political persecution. The records speak for themselves. The evidence is compelling).
Roque, who served as spokesperson for former president Rodrigo Duterte, is facing qualified human trafficking charges linked to the alleged illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Pampanga. A Pampanga court issued an arrest warrant against Roque and other respondents in May 2025 in connection with the case.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue also filed a criminal complaint against Roque, his wife, and an associate in April 2026 over alleged tax violations involving Biancham Holdings and Trading Inc., with an estimated tax deficiency of PHP3.35 million. Roque has denied the allegations and maintained that the cases are politically motivated. He has been seeking asylum in Europe and is currently in Austria, according to reports.
The Department of Justice has said it continues to pursue the return of fugitives facing criminal cases and has emphasized that such cases are not based on political persecution.
