Former presidential spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, issued a strong statement denying allegations that he possesses multiple passports, calling the reports “fake news” allegedly being peddled by the Marcos Jr. administration.
In a statement released by his office, Roque dismissed the claim that he holds more than one valid passport, suggesting that even the Department of Justice (DOJ) cannot clarify whether he has two or three passports. “May nahilo na naman,” he added, criticizing what he called confused and baseless accusations.
“For the record, I am currently using one regular passport, because the other regular one (still current) has no more blank pages,” Roque clarified, explaining that the second passport, while technically still valid, is no longer in active use.
He also emphasized that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) would be well aware that the older passport is “cancelled without prejudice,” which is standard practice when a replacement is issued.
Roque further noted that his regular passport is currently in the hands of Dutch authorities as part of his pending asylum application, countering claims that he is trying to elude legal proceedings. “Also, I am no longer using diplomatic passport since I left government several years ago,” he added.
The former Duterte spokesperson, who is facing nonbailable charges of qualified human trafficking in connection with operations of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Pampanga, is now seeking asylum in the Netherlands. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has requested Interpol to issue a red notice against him and other accused individuals.
The Department of Justice has likewise moved to cancel Roque’s passport, and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla warned that if Roque’s asylum bid is denied, he may be deported for being an undocumented alien.
Roque, however, maintains that the legal actions against him are politically motivated. “Mga kababayan, mag-ingat po tayo sa naglipanang fake news. Itotodo na nila ang paninira sa akin,” he warned.
Roque has previously labeled the congressional contempt charges against him as part of a “kangaroo court,” asserting that the ongoing cases are an orchestrated attack on his character and political affiliations.
