Former Malacañang spokesman Harry Roque on Thursday, December 2, said he knew nothing of human rights charges filed against former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Roque, a human rights advocate, and a known activist during the Martial Law remarked as part of Marcos’s slate.
“Bilang isang abugado, sinisigurado ko sa inyo, wala akong nakitang kahit anong kaso pagdating sa pandarambong o paglabag ng karapatang pantao laban kay Bongbong Marcos,” Roque said in a speech in Batangas.
He also went after the critics of President Ferdinand Marcos’s administration, saying that the younger Marcos was only 15 years old in 1972.
“Sa mga tumutol sa mga panahon ng administrasyon ng kanyang ama, 15 years old si Bongbong Marcos noong 1972.”
The dictator’s reign ended in 1986. Marcos Jr served 28 years as governor of Ilocos Norte.
Roque during his days as spokesman noted that Marcos Jr couldn’t do anything to change the narrative surrounding the Martial Law era.
He also brought up the fact that human rights violations were prevalent during martial law.
“As far as the Palace is concerned, there are decisions affirming that there were grave human rights violations committed during the Marcos regime. There’s even a law in Congress which provides compensation for victims of martial law,” Roque then said three years ago.
He joined Marcos’s slate because no other parties wanted, he admitted.
“Wala naman pong ibang umangkin sa akin at umampon. Sino ba naman ako para humindi sa pag-ampon ng Uniteam ni Bongbong at ni Sara?
“Unang-una, sino ang pinakamahabang karanasan? Apat na terminong governador, isang terminong kongresista, isang terminong senador—si Bongbong Marcos,” he added.
Netizens described Roque as a “chameleon” the way he switches sides quickly.
huwaw naman galing sa kanya na kampon ng kadiliman. https://t.co/Cvh9Rjngwz
— Flow Galindez (@FlowGalindez) December 2, 2021
We have historical figures who were chameleons. There's Pedro Paterno, among others. Perhaps in future historical works on our era, we can include this creature with a mouth spewing dung. https://t.co/g8dbRJ8Vnl
— Kristoffer Pasion (@indiohistorian) December 2, 2021
The lengths people go 🤦🏻♀️
Unbelievable, Harry.Maawa ka sa mga mahal mo sa buhay. They also bear the brunt of your words and actions. https://t.co/zd4HeMCbMg
— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) December 2, 2021
Roque has lost all dignity, netizens said.
Dear @attyharryroque Would you like a copy of my book? I will send you one. In it I detail how Bongbong Marcos told me during a Foreign Correspondents Assn of the Philuppines forum how he gave a signed note directing a Swiss Bank to release Marcos money to that person. U know me. https://t.co/QsxC0cV0Fb
— Raissa Robles (@raissawriter) December 2, 2021
https://twitter.com/valvestil/status/1466405531338244109?s=20
https://twitter.com/sefxxiii/status/1466599446905765888?s=20
Tingnan ang nagagawa ng pagkalasing sa kapangyarihan. Ayaw ng bumitaw. Pati paninindigan at dignidad ibibigay.
— AKO LANG BA? ni Matuang Kepweng (1 of 15,035,773) (@A_Dee_2013) December 3, 2021