MANILA — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday disputed Justice Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s claim that his application for asylum in Austria had been denied, calling the statement “fake news.”

Roque said there was no rule that automatically treats an asylum application as denied if Austrian authorities fail to act on it within six months.

“My application for asylum has been submitted for resolution, and I continue to await the official decision of the competent Austrian asylum authorities,” Roque said in a press release.

He maintained that his asylum application remains pending and that only the Austrian authorities can officially decide on its status.

“Until the Austrian authorities themselves issue a decision on my application, claims that my asylum bid has already been denied are false and misleading,” he said.

Roque also criticized public officials for making categorical statements about matters under the jurisdiction of a foreign state.

“Public officials should verify their facts before making categorical statements on matters that are within the jurisdiction of a foreign sovereign state,” he said.

“Beware of fake news—even when it comes from government officials.”