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Advocates Philippines
Harry Roque Slams DOJ Official For 'Baseless, Malicious' Claims Tying Him To POGO Trafficking Case
Photo credit: Congress PH
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has fired back at what he describes as a “desperate and malicious” attempt to link him to human trafficking allegations involving the Porac POGO hub.
In a statement released on November 21, Roque blasted DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Ty for suggesting that a court’s theory used in the Alice Guo case—specifically the provision on “organizing or directing others to commit human trafficking”—could also apply to him.
Roque did not mince words. “I strongly condemn the irresponsible and desperate attempt… His claim… is not only absurd, it is deliberate disinformation,” he said.
He stressed that he had zero participation in the operations of the Porac POGO, saying his involvement came only after the 2022 elections when he returned to private practice. According to Roque, he was hired strictly for two matters:
1. An ejectment case, and
2. Negotiations with PAGCOR to reschedule arrears.
“That is the full extent of my participation—lawyering,” he said, calling Ty’s interpretation “malicious” and a distortion of legitimate legal work.
Roque also emphasized that the Porac POGO operation was fully licensed when it was active and was closed once it lost its permit. He said any attempt to retroactively portray it as a criminal syndicate is “propaganda” meant for political drama.
He described the case filed against him as “baseless” and “politically motivated,” claiming it was crafted to intimidate and damage his reputation. “I will face these accusations head-on… a witch hunt built on speculation, not evidence,” Roque declared.
Turning the issue back on Ty, Roque challenged the DOJ official to focus instead on prosecuting those involved in the government’s flood-control fund controversy. “I challenge Usec Nicholas Ty to focus on what truly matters—prosecuting and jailing the perpetrators of the flood scam,” he said.
Firm in his stance, Roque closed his statement with a warning: “I will not be bullied. I will not be silenced. And I will not allow political operatives to weaponize the law to advance their own agendas.”
If you want a sharper, more hard-hitting tone or a shorter news format, I can adjust it!
In a statement released on November 21, Roque blasted DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Ty for suggesting that a court’s theory used in the Alice Guo case—specifically the provision on “organizing or directing others to commit human trafficking”—could also apply to him.
Roque did not mince words. “I strongly condemn the irresponsible and desperate attempt… His claim… is not only absurd, it is deliberate disinformation,” he said.
He stressed that he had zero participation in the operations of the Porac POGO, saying his involvement came only after the 2022 elections when he returned to private practice. According to Roque, he was hired strictly for two matters:
1. An ejectment case, and
2. Negotiations with PAGCOR to reschedule arrears.
“That is the full extent of my participation—lawyering,” he said, calling Ty’s interpretation “malicious” and a distortion of legitimate legal work.
Roque also emphasized that the Porac POGO operation was fully licensed when it was active and was closed once it lost its permit. He said any attempt to retroactively portray it as a criminal syndicate is “propaganda” meant for political drama.
He described the case filed against him as “baseless” and “politically motivated,” claiming it was crafted to intimidate and damage his reputation. “I will face these accusations head-on… a witch hunt built on speculation, not evidence,” Roque declared.
Turning the issue back on Ty, Roque challenged the DOJ official to focus instead on prosecuting those involved in the government’s flood-control fund controversy. “I challenge Usec Nicholas Ty to focus on what truly matters—prosecuting and jailing the perpetrators of the flood scam,” he said.
Firm in his stance, Roque closed his statement with a warning: “I will not be bullied. I will not be silenced. And I will not allow political operatives to weaponize the law to advance their own agendas.”
If you want a sharper, more hard-hitting tone or a shorter news format, I can adjust it!
Nov 21, 2025
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