Roque sold his dignity, reputation as human rights lawyer — De Lima
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. announces, during a press conference at the Presidential Guest House in Panacan, Davao City on Jan. 4, 2018, that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has decided to terminate the services of Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Marcial Quirico Amaro III upon verifying complaints that the administrator has made excessive trips overseas. Amaro’s termination from the service is part of the President’s commitment to eliminate graft and corruption in government. Presidential photo/Joey Dalumpines
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Leila de Lima on Tuesday called out presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. for supposedly selling his identity as a human rights lawyer in exchange for a possible Senate run.
“I really do feel sorry for Harry Roque. He used to have some semblance of credibility. He held himself out as a defender of the oppressed,” De Lima said in a statement.
She added: “Mr. Roque, I understand, aspires to one day call himself a senator. There is nothing wrong with that per se... He has bartered his dignity and reputation as a human rights lawyer in exchange for a senatorial berth in the president’s party.”
Sought for a comment, the former human rights lawyer turned presidential mouthpiece wished for De Lima to be detained for the rest of her life.
“As I’ve said, happy anniversary on your first year of detention. May you spend the rest of your life in jail,” Roque said in a press briefing Tuesday.
The latest word war between De Lima and Roque escalated after the latter greeted the senator “happy anniversary” on her first year in detention and called her the “mother of all drug lords.”
De Lima, who has repeatedly maintained her innocence, said she is under detention because of politically-motivated charges, not for being the “mother of all drug lords.”
“So Mr. Roque may pretend all he wants that he speaks truths—but that is all it is: a pretense. Slowly, eventually, inevitable, the truth will set me free. But it will shackle Roque and his cohorts in shame. I am innocent. They are not,” she said.
De Lima marked her first year in detention last Saturday. She was arrested on Feb. 24, 2017 over drug-related charges.
Last week, members of the Senate minority have filed a resolution calling for her release.
READ: De Lima receives 365 roses from supporters to mark 1-year in detention
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