Despite reported objections from former President Rodrigo Duterte’s lead counsel, Harry Roque on Friday reaffirmed his loyalty to the former leader, vowing to remain at The Hague even as he’s allegedly being told to go home.
“Tatay Digong, ako po ay nangako—hindi ko po kayo iiwan. Narito po ako hanggang sa huli,” Roque declared in a message directed at Duterte, who is currently involved in International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings in the Netherlands.
Roque’s statement comes after Duterte’s international counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, reportedly conveyed the former president’s preference for Roque to leave and not interfere in the ongoing case. But Roque dismissed the notion, suggesting a possible misunderstanding.
“Wala akong conflict kay Kaufman dahil wala akong pakialam sa kanya,” Roque said, adding that he had only publicly spoken about the ICC case three times since Kaufman took over five months ago.
Among those occasions was when Roque questioned the delay in filing a motion to dismiss based on jurisdiction, and when he refuted Kaufman’s statement implying that Duterte’s return would depend on President Marcos. He also reiterated his belief that Duterte would never seek personal deals in exchange for freedom.
“Hinding-hindi talaga hahalik sa puwit ng kahit sino si Tatay Digong para sa kanyang kalayaan,” he emphasized.
Roque maintained that he has not violated ethical boundaries, clarifying he has not acted as Duterte’s ICC counsel without consent. Instead, he said he only wanted to speak with Duterte directly to offer help, but was allegedly blocked by Kaufman.
“Sinulatan pa ako ng hukuman na talagang si Kaufman ang dahilan kaya hindi ako pupwedeng makapasok kay Tatay Digong,” Roque said.
Unless he hears directly from Duterte, Roque said he won’t leave The Hague: “Kung sasabihin talaga iyan ni Tatay Digong sa aking mukha, tatanggapin ko po iyan… pero habang hindi ko po naririnig iyan sa aking dalawang tenga, hinding-hindi ko iiwan si Tatay Digong.”
He admitted that even if he has to be dragged out, he’s not going anywhere: “Pasensya na po kayo kung talagang matigas ang ulo ko.”
Roque clarified he supported Kaufman’s appointment upon Vice President Sara Duterte’s recommendation and still respects her decision.
For now, Roque remains firm: “Patuloy akong maninindigan. Hindi ko iiwan si Tatay Digong, kahit ano pa ang sabihin ng iba.”
