Cyberlibel raps vs Roque junked by QC Prosecutors

Lawyer Harry Roque. Screengrab from YouTube/Harry Roque

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed on Wednesday that the cyber libel case filed against former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque by former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes has been junked by Quezon City prosecutors.

In a statement, the DOJ said the prosecutors found “insufficient” evidence to pursue a criminal case in a resolution dated October 9, 2024, but made public by Roque only on Wednesday, April 23.

Trillanes however said Roque should not be celebrating yet as he will still file a motion for reconsideration.

“It’s too early for him to celebrate. Hindi pa nga sya makauwi. Anyway, we will still be filing a motion for reconsideration today,” Trillanes said in a message to reporters.

Back in May 2024, Trillanes filed a cyber libel complaint against after he was accused by Roque and vlogger Banat By of giving away Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal) when he was made a special envoy in 2012.

He said Cristobal played Roque’s remarks in his own video and then expressed his concurrence on the statements.

Roque welcomes ruling

Roque meanwhile welcomed the ruling and expressed gratitude to prosecutors for applying the law on liber “correctly.”

The ever outspoken lawyer also stood by his words.

“Ang punto niya ay siniraan ko raw siya noong sinabi ko, unang una, na nawalan tayo ng teritoryo matapos siyang matalaga na special envoy to China,” Roque said in a statement.

“Eh hindi ba totoo naman po? Eh talaga naman po na iyong desisyon ng Tsina na kunin sa atin iyong [Scarborough Shoal] ay matapos na itinalaga siya ni President Aquino bilang special envoy to China,” Roque said.

Roque is now in the Netherlands and is currently seeking political asylum following an arrest warrant from a contempt order by the House Quad Committee over his supposed involvement in offshore gaming operations in the country.

House quad comm chair denies Roque’s ‘persecution’ claim: ‘Andami mong kuda’

VP Sara says Roque not part of dad Rody’s ICC defense team

Roque: I cannot come home, I have to defend my president

Roque disappointed at ICC for not addressing Duterte’s ‘kidnapping’

‘That’s unacceptable’: Harry Roque slams ICC for delaying accused Duterte’s meet-up with family

BI mulls charges vs. Roque for alleged escape; ex-spox claps back