Ex-Palace spokesperson faces disbarment complaint from former colleague

Metro Manila, Philippines – Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is facing a disbarment complaint from a former Cabinet colleague over a number of social media posts.

Former Cabinet Secretary Melvin Matibag, secretary general of PDP-Laban, filed the complaint with the Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 24, according to state-run Philippine News Agency.

There are no details on the case, though Matibag pointed out Roque’s social media posts including a “polvoron” (local shortbread cookie) video that showed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. supposedly doing drugs.

Government officials had debunked the video, with Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos ordering the creation of a special team to probe the matter.

In a statement, Roque said the complaint against him is a “desperate act of attention.”

He added that disbarment complaints should not be publicized.

“We have to understand that the posting of the video in social media is protected by free speech under the privileged doctrine. It involves a serious disease of a president that deserves an admission or denial. PBBM (acronym of the president’s name) has not done either,” Roque said.

He said the video’s authenticity “deserves widespread discussion.”

“Sa lahat ng ito, isa lang ang sigurado: Pinupulbos ako ng Quad Committee dahil sa polvoronic video. Ayon na rin ito mismo sa mga dating kasamahan ko sa Kamara,” he said.

[Translation: In all of these, one thing is certain: I am being targeted by the Quad Committee because of the controversial video. My former colleagues in the House told me this as well.]

The House panel is probing Roque for alleged ties to illegal offshore gaming - a claim that he consistently denied.

NewsWatch Plus correspondent Lance Mejico contributed to this report