Harry Roque
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Herminio “Harry” Lopez Roque Jr. (born 21 October 1966) is a Filipino lawyer, politician. He is also a former law professor and former presidential spokesperson of President Rodrigo Duterte. He was Duterte’s presidential spokesperson from 2017 to 2018 and was reappointed in April 2020 until his resignation in November 2021.
Among Roque’s professional and academic interests are criminal law, constitutional law, international law, international human rights law and international humanitarian law. He is admitted to practice before the International Criminal Court (ICC), the first Asian to do so, and the UN War Crimes Tribunal for Rwanda. He is also elected to the Governing Council of the Asian Society of International Law and the International Criminal Bar.
Roque taught constitutional law and public international law at the University of the Philippines College of Law for 15 years. Among the notable cases he handled were the Maguindanao Massacre and the Jennifer Laude cases. In 2017, he was designated as presidential adviser for human rights concurrent with being the presidential spokesperson. He also served as the Party-list Representative of KABAYAN–Kabalikat ng Mamamayan, that represents marginalized sectors of the Filipino community, including the disabled, senior citizens, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), fishermen, farmers, and the poor–from 2016 to 2017.
Roque, a member of the Advisory Council of the Asian Society of International Law (AsianSIL), served as its president from 2018 to 2019.
Education
Roque earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from the University of Michigan (1986); Bachelor of Law from College of Law, University of the Philippines (1990); and Master of Law with merits from London School of Economics (1996).
Career
As Lawyer
Roque was one of the founders of Center for Internationl Law (Centerlaw). Through the group’s advocacy, he and his team represented the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre; the Malaya Lolas, victims of rape and abuse by the Japanese Imperial Army; the family of the killed transgender Jennifer Laude; and the family of the killed environmental advocate and member of the media Gerry Ortega from Palawan.
He has argued before the Supreme Court on several occasions. Among the cases he argued before the high court were assailing Presidential Proclamation 1017 and General Order No. 5, the Adonis case before the UNHRC questioning the Philippines’ criminal libel law, Ninez Cacho- Olivarez, et al v. Juan Miguel Arroyo, and specific issues raised against the Cybercrime Law. He also represented the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in arguing that local government officials cannot deny applications for rally permits except if these will result in a clear and present danger to the state. He also helped secure Boracay Foundation a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO) to stop the reclamation of land in Caticlan due to absence of studies which can guarantee that it would not damage Boracay Island.
Roque won the first ever granted petition for the writ of Amparo in favor of a journalist, as well as the second application for writ of Amparo where the Court of Appeals issued protective orders.
Roque also mentored and coached some of the UP College of Law moot teams that won in various competitions, including the 2015 Oxford Price Moot Court Competition, 2015 Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Moot Competition, and the 2012 Jessup International Law Moot Court competition.
As a Congressman
Roque resigned as a member of the Center for International Law (Centerlaw) after being elected as a congressman. He was the principal author of the Universal Health Coverage Bill. He was also one of the three representatives who endorsed the impeachment case against former Commissions on Elections (COMELEC) chairman Andres Bautista.
Presidential spokesperson
Roque was appointed the presidential spokesperson of Rodrigo Duterte on 6 November 2017 and replaced Ernesto Abella.
In October 2018, he expressed his intention to run for a seat in the Senate in the 2019 Elections. Duterte, however, said that he has no chance to win. Roque have threatened to resign from his post after he was kept in the dark about Duterte’s visit to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center on 3 October 2018. He eventually resigned on 15 October and expressed his plans to run for a seat at the House of Representatives under the Luntiang Pilipinas Party. He filed his Certificate of Candidacy on October 17. On 1 February 2019, he dropped out of the 2019 Senatorial race, citing a medical condition.
In April 2020, Roque returned to his role as Duterte’s presidential spokesperson, replacing Salvador Panelo. He also served as the spokesperson for the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases amid the COVID-19 pandemic, replacing Karlo Nograles.
In July 2020, Roque was criticized for violating pandemic-related quarantine rules and health protocols by visiting Ocean Adventure in Subic Bay Freeport Zone and for not wearing a face mask. He announced in March 2021 that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
After he failed his bid to join the International Law Commission (ILC), Roque resigned from his post as Duterte’s presidential spokesperson. His ILC candidacy was met by opposition from different lawyer groups and even his high school alma matter. He received the least number of votes among candidates from Asia-Pacific State and only got 87 out of the 191 valid ballots.
He filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator on 15 November 2021 and substituted People's Reform Party (PRP) Senate bet Paolo Mario Martelino. Roque added that he wanted to be true to his word that if Sara Duterte runs, he will also run. Roque also endorsed Sara, who filed her COC for Vice President.
Family
Roque is a Protestant. He is married to Mylah Reyes and they have two children.
References
- “Harry Roque”. LinkedIn. (Accessed 16 August 2021).
- “Harry Roque Biography, Achievements”. PeoPlaid. (Accessed 16 August 2021).
- “Harry Roque”. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (Accessed 17 August 2021).
- “Harry Roque”. Washington College of Law. (Accessed 17 August 2021).
- Ranada, Pia.“Things to know about Harry Roque, Duterte's new spokesman”. Rappler. (Accessed 17 August 2021).
- “Harry Roque”. PeoplePill. (Accessed 17 August 2021).
- Ranada, Pia (July 3, 2020). "Not leisure,' says Roque about swim with dolphins at Ocean Adventure". Rappler. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
- "Herminio Harry L. Roque Jr". College of Law, University of the Philippines. Archived from the original on July 20, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
- "Harry Roque to be Duterte's new spokesman". Rappler. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
- "Roque appointed presidential adviser on human rights". CNN Philippines. November 22, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
- "AsianSIL Governing Bodies". Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- "Maguindanao massacre cops' bail doesn't faze lawyer Roque, who's focused on Ampatuans". InterAksyon.com with Radyo5. October 16, 2014.
- Murdoch, Lindsay (December 6, 2014). "Cry for justice: the Ampatuan massacre". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- Torres-Tupas, Tech (January 6, 2016). "Aquino may face suit for failure to help PH comfort women—lawyer". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
- "Pemberton admits choking Jennifer Laude". Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 24, 2015.
- Aning, Jerome (September 23, 2015). "Reyes brothers extradited on Thursday". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- Rempillo, Jay. "The Experience of Oral Argument Before the Supreme Court". Supreme Court of the Philippines. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
- "David v. Arroyo, G.R. No. 171396, May 3, 2006". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
- Flores, Mikha (January 16, 2013). "Vera Files". verafiles.org. Archived from the original on November 23, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- "IBP vs Atienza G.R. No. 175241". Supreme Court of the Philippines. February 24, 2010.
- "SC puts indefinite stop to Boracay reclamation project". ABS-CBN News. July 12, 2012. Archived from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- "Slain mediaman's lawyer: There's blood on CA's hands". GMA News. June 10, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- Delfin, Claire (March 30, 2009). "Writ of amparo: How effective is it?". GMA News. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- Punay, Edu (May 29, 2009). "Court of Appeals orders Gadian to substantiate claims of death threats". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- Fopalan, Renee (March 28, 2015). "UP Law Wins Oxford Moot Court Competition". GMA News. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
- Francisco, Allan (March 18, 2015). "U-P College Of Law Students...Nagwagi Sa Ilang Kategorya Ng Isang International Humanitarian Law Moot Court Competition". DZUP. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
- Tonson, Marlon (March 31, 2012). "UP Law Mooters' Magical Run Ends in the Jessup Final Four in Washington". GMA News. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
- "Lawyers group hopes Roque will uphold human rights while in Palace". GMA News. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
- "Universal health coverage bill clears House". Interaksyon. September 7, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
- "House OKs universal health coverage for all Pinoys". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
- "Impeachment rap filed vs Comelec chief in House". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
- Ropero, Gillan. "Duterte names Harry Roque as new Presidential spokesperson". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
- "Tough-talking Harry Roque now Duterte's spokesperson". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
- "Abella on Roque's appointment as spokesperson: 'He's more than adequate'". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
- "Roque defends Duterte's rape remark: 'It's more liberal in the South'". CNN Philippines. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
- News, ABS-CBN (2018-10-05). "Duterte says Roque won't win in 2019 polls". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
- Corrales, Nestor (2018-10-09). "Duterte: Roque threatened to resign, I said go". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
- Mendez, Christina. "Harry Roque won't win as senator, says Duterte". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
- "Harry Roque returns as Duterte's spokesperson". Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- "Harry Roque returns as Duterte spokesman". Rappler. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- Enano, Jhesset; Aurelio, Julie (July 3, 2020). "'Dolphingate' pushes Harry in deep water". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
- Jalea, Glee (March 15, 2021). "Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque tests positive for COVID-19". CNN Philippines. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- "UCCP honors members in national positions". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
- "Harry Roque is Duterte's new spokesman; group urges lawmaker to reconsider because he's a 'fierce HR advocate'".Interaksyon. October 28, 2017. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- "Bonding time! Roque's wife shares his light moment with kids". abogado.com.ph. June 23, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- Fernandez, Daniza."Roque files COC for senator". INQUIRER.net. (Accessed on 16 November 2021).
- Galvez, Daphne."Roque quits as presidential spokesperson to pursue 2022 Senate bid". INQUIRER.net. (Accessed on 16 November 2021).
- Cupin, Bea."After failed ILC bid, Harry Roque vies for Senate seat". Rappler. (Accessed on 16 November 2021).
- "Roque loses bid for seat at International Law Commission". Rappler. (Accessed on 16 November 2021).
Citation
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- Filipino lawyers
- Government
- Senatoriables
- Philippine Elections 2022
- Party-list members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
- University of the Philippines alumni
- Presidential Spokespersons of the Philippines
- Duterte Administration cabinet members
- University of the Philippines faculty
- Filipino Protestants