MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday urged former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to return to the Philippines and answer the charges filed against him, as questions remain over the status of his asylum application in Austria.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Roque should face the cases against him and present evidence in his defense if he maintains that he is innocent.
“If there is an issue being faced and one knows that they are innocent and have done nothing wrong, they should have the courage to face whatever issue may arise concerning them,” Castro said.
She added that Roque should present his own evidence to clear his name.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla had said Roque’s application for political asylum was denied, although the Palace acknowledged that there had been no official announcement from Austrian authorities confirming the status of the application. Roque has maintained that his asylum bid remains pending.
Roque, who served as spokesperson of former president Rodrigo Duterte, is facing qualified human trafficking charges over his alleged links to the Lucky South 99 Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in Porac, Pampanga.
A Pampanga court issued an arrest warrant against Roque and other respondents in May 2025 in connection with the case. Roque has denied wrongdoing and has described the cases against him as politically motivated.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue also filed a criminal complaint against Roque, his wife Mylah, and an associate in April 2026 over alleged tax violations involving Biancham Holdings and Trading Inc.
