HOUSE Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs Chairman Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list on Wednesday urged former presidential spokesperson and international lawyer Harry Roque to provide concrete legal assistance to the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) recently arrested in Qatar, instead of publicly appealing directly to Qatari authorities.
“Habang abalang-abala ang administrasyong Marcos sa pagtulong sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino na nahuli sa Qatar, mas mainam siguro na gamitin ni Atty. Harry Roque ang kanyang kakayahan bilang isang international lawyer para tulungan ang ating mga kababayang OFW sa Qatar sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng legal na tulong o kaya’y pagkalap ng financial support para sa kanila,” said Acjdre, a House Assistant Majority Leader.
“Sa intindi ko, isa siya sa mga nagbuyo sa ating kawawang mga kababayang naiipit ngayon na magsagawa ng pagtitipon. Wala namang silbi ang appeal, appeal niya sa Qatari authorities. Unang-una, wala siyang legal personality to make the appeal. Pangalawa, fugitive siya dahil sa contempt ng Kamara tapos may kaso pa siyang human trafficking dahil sa POGO. Ang pwede niya talagang maitulong ay legal aid sa mga naaresto sa Qatar,” he added.
Last month, Qatari authorities arrested 20 Filipinos for allegedly participating in unauthorized political demonstrations supporting former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands. Among those arrested were three minors, who have since been released, while 16 individuals remain in custody.
The Philippine government has responded by deploying embassy officials to coordinate with Qatari authorities and provide assistance to the detained individuals. Legal counsel is being arranged for those facing potential charges, as unauthorized gatherings in Qatar can lead to imprisonment of up to three years.
Acidre noted that Roque’s expertise in international law would be significantly beneficial in securing the release or at least fair treatment of the detained Filipino workers.
“Wala naman siyang official business sa Netherlands. Hindi naman siya parte ng legal defense team doon, kaya bakit hindi na lang siya tumulong dito sa ating gobyerno upang masiguro ang kaligtasan at hustisya para sa OFWs na nakakulong sa Qatar?” Acidre added.
He stressed that the Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), has consistently provided substantial assistance to distressed OFWs abroad.
Acidre emphasized that while the government’s efforts are already commendable, additional legal support from private individuals like Roque, who have relevant expertise, could greatly amplify assistance efforts.
“The government has been actively assisting our OFWs through legal representation and consular support. It would be beneficial if Atty. Roque collaborates with these agencies rather than making separate diplomatic appeals that may not align with official government actions,” Acidre explained.
Acidre also urged Roque to utilize his network to raise funds to assist OFWs facing heavy financial burdens due to expensive legal fees abroad.
“Maraming OFWs ang nahihirapan dahil sa mahal na gastusin sa mga legal fees abroad. Bilang isang abogado sa international law, malaking bagay kung gagamitin ni Atty. Roque ang kanyang talento para makalikom ng pondo upang suportahan ang OFWs na nangangailangan ng agarang tulong,” Acidre said.
“This is not about politics; this is about helping our fellow Filipinos who are in dire need abroad. We should pool our resources and expertise together instead of acting individually,” Acidre stressed.
“Mas magiging epektibo ang pagtulong kung sama-sama tayo, lalo na’t mga buhay at kinabukasan ng ating mga kababayan ang nakataya dito,” he urged
Earlier, Acidre denounced Roque’s announcement that he is seeking asylum in the Netherlands, calling it a desperate attempt to evade accountability for his alleged involvement in offshore scam hubs or Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and related crimes, including human trafficking.
Roque’s move comes five months after a human trafficking case was filed against him and two others before the Department of Justice.
The complaint, filed by government prosecutors, alleges that Roque used his position and influence to protect and enable criminal syndicates running offshore gambling hubs involved in human trafficking, cyber fraud and money laundering.
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