Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has not yet submitted his counter-affidavit in response to a qualified trafficking complaint filed against him, according to Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutor Eugene Yusi.
Speaking to reporters after a preliminary investigation on Monday, Yusi confirmed that Roque had been informed of the case and the ongoing probe.
“Atty. Harry Roque has not yet submitted his counter-affidavit. Presently, he has not participated or been represented during the preliminary investigation,” Yusi stated. He added, “If he fails to appear or participate, the complaint will be resolved based on the evidence attached to the complaint.”
When asked for his side, Roque claimed he had yet to receive a copy of the complaint or a summons from the DOJ. “I haven’t been furnished with [the] complaint affidavit. Wala pa rin summons from DOJ,” he said.
Supplemental Complaint
In October, authorities filed a supplemental complaint affidavit, adding Roque to an earlier trafficking case against Lucky South 99 authorized representative Cassandra Li Ong and others.
Roque previously denied the allegations, asserting that the evidence against him was not new. He also stated his willingness to address the complaint but emphasized that there are multiple ways to participate beyond appearing in person at the DOJ.
Meanwhile, Ong’s legal team plans to file their counter-affidavit next week. Other respondents submitted their counter-affidavits during Monday’s preliminary probe, Yusi confirmed.
“Today, some of the respondents filed their counter-affidavits, and others were furnished copies of the CIDG supplemental complaint,” the prosecutor added.