Lawyer Harry Roque talks to reporters, September 7, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Malacañang advised the Department of the Interior and Local Government on Wednesday to keep its legal operations under wraps after Secretary Jonvic Remulla claimed that former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque's asylum application in Austria had been denied.
Roque dismissed the claim as “fake news” and noted that asylum applications are “absolutely confidential”.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro on Wednesday deferred to Remulla in commenting on Roque’s denial.
“Kung si Sec. Jonvic po ang nagbalita nito, so hayaan po nating si Secretary Jonvic ang sumagot patungkol dito sa inaakusa ni Harry Roque,” she said in a press briefing.
“At kung mayroong ibang mga legal na operasyon na gagawin ang DILG, definitely mayroon tayong kasabihan na ‘do not telegraph your punches,’” she added.
“So, hayaan na lang po nating si Secretary Jonvic ang sumagot patungkol diyan.”
Remulla on Wednesday stood by his claim, challenging Roque to prove otherwise.
“Harry knows the truth," Remulla told ABS-CBN News.
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