Malacañang reiterated on Wednesday that individuals confronting legal allegations should step forward and address them in court, particularly if they maintain their innocence.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the assertion following statements from Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla claiming that Austria had turned down former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s application for political asylum. Roque has since dismissed Remulla’s statement as fake news.
“Ang dapat na ginagawa ng bawat Pilipino, kung mayroon mang kinakaharap na usapin at alam niya sa sarili niya na siya ay malinis at walang bahid ng anumang pagkakamali, dapat na maging matapang na harapin kung anuman ang nagiging usapin patungkol sa kaniya (What every Filipino ought to do, if faced with an issue while knowing deep down that their conscience is clear and they are free from any wrongdoing, is to bravely confront whatever matter concerns them),” Castro stated during a press briefing.
Castro emphasized that this principle applies universally to all citizens.
“So, hindi pwedeng gamitin ang impluwensiya, ang lakas, ang taumbayan para makaiwas ka sa mga ibinabato sa iyo (So, you cannot use influence, power, or the people to evade the accusations hurled at you),” she added.
An arrest warrant was issued against Roque and several co-respondents in May 2025 over allegations of qualified human trafficking tied to an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) facility in Pampanga. Additionally, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has initiated tax evasion complaints against the former official.