Former Surigao del Norte Representative and Governor Robert Ace Barbers has issued a blunt challenge to former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, demanding that he stop evading authorities and return to the Philippines to confront the legal proceedings against him.
The call comes after reports surfaced that Roque’s application for asylum in Austria had been turned down, a development originally disclosed by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
“Wala na siyang ibang rason,” Barbers stated, emphasizing that “He has to face all these charges against him dito sa atin,” noted the lawmaker, who serves as spokesperson and adviser of the House prosecution team in Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial.
Barbers insisted that the former palace official needs to fly home and address the ongoing investigations into illegal offshore gaming operations. Roque has been implicated in a human trafficking complaint linked to the Lucky South 99 offshore gaming hub based in Porac, Pampanga. While Roque has consistently denied any wrongdoing, framing the legal action as political persecution, congressional leaders maintain that he must answer for his unkept commitments to lawmakers.
Recalling the earlier proceedings of the House quad committee which he previously chaired, Barbers noted that Roque had pledged to submit financial and personal documents requested by investigators but ultimately reneged.
“Ikaw ang nangako, ikaw ang hindi tumupad sa pangako,” Barbers remarked.
He further shot down Roque’s past characterization of the panel as a “kangaroo court,” maintaining that the committee provided him ample opportunity to defend himself.
“He insulted the QuadCom,” Barbers added, arguing that the former official undermined the legislative panel’s mandate.
Addressing Roque’s narrative of being a target of state harassment, Barbers clarified that the investigation remains strictly focused on his ties to illegal gambling hubs and his refusal to cooperate with subpoenaed documents.
“Ang mahalaga, sagutin mo kung ano yung kinalaman mo tungkol sa POGO na ito,” he said.
Barbers also dismissed Roque’s attempts to portray himself as a high-profile political refugee seeking international protection, offering a sharp reality check.
“Ang una kong advice sa kanya, please disabuse yourself from believing you’re an important political figure because you’re not,” Barbers said, reiterating that the time for delays has passed, “Wala nang charot-charot ito.”