Rep France Castro urges Harry Roque to return for congressional hearings

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro called on former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to return to the Philippines and face the quad-committee in the House of Representatives.

Castro made the statement during an online press conference on Tuesday, March 18, criticizing Roque for appearing at The Hague as part of former President Rodrigo Duterte's legal team while avoiding Philippine congressional hearings.

The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives is now asking the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to deny any asylum request from Roque and facilitate his return to the Philippines.

In September 2024, the quad-committee issued an arrest order against Roque for failing to appear at joint panel hearings regarding illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

The bloc also condemned Roque's 'shameless attempt to escape accountability by seeking asylum in the Netherlands while having no legitimate role in the ICC proceedings against former President Rodrigo Duterte.'

Vice President Sara Duterte has since said that Roque isn't part of her father's defense team.

No Philippine court has issued an arrest warrant, but Castro insisted that the quad-committee's warrant is valid and in aid of legislation.