Roque seeks Duterte’s ICC defense team role, faces VP Sara's rejection

Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque is attempting to join Rodrigo Duterte's defense team at the ICC but faces obstacles.

Vice President Sara Duterte has excluded Roque from her father's legal team due to his petition for asylum in The Hague.

Roque, who left the Philippines last September and is facing an arrest warrant for contempt from the House of Representatives, seeks approval from Duterte’s lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman.

Despite the Philippines withdrawing from the ICC in 2019, Roque remains optimistic that Duterte's interim release will be granted by the court.

Roque plans to file libel charges against Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers for calling him and other House quad committee members buffoons.

Roque is currently petitioning for asylum in the Netherlands and has completed his first interview, aiming to practice as an international human rights lawyer.