Former Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque claimed that the court’s approval to cancel his passport was an act of harassment in response to the video he previously released, which allegedly showed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. using cocaine. He also called on Marcos to step down from his post and allow Vice President Sara Duterte to lead the country.

“Alam ko naman po na talagang kinakailangang harapin ko itong paggigipit ng gobyernong ito, lalong-lalo na na binuhay nga talaga at pinatunayan na ni Imee Marcos na bangag ang ating Presidente,” Roque said.

“Sang-ayon sa aking mga kaklase noong 17th Congress diyan sa Kamara e ako talaga ay gustong pulbusin—’yan ang ginamit nilang salita ni Speaker (Pantaleon) Alvarez—ni Liza Araneta-Marcos, at ni Bongbong Marcos dahil ako ang sinisisi sa polvoronic video kung saan pinakita, in no uncertain terms, na sumisinghot ng cocaine si Presidente Marcos Jr.,” he added.

Roque insisted that the cases against him were “planted.” Firstly, he never worked for Lucky South 99; rather, he merely represented Whirlwind Corporation in an ejectment case. He stressed that performing his duties as a lawyer does not constitute a criminal offense. Secondly, he maintained that posting the video of Marcos was not inciting to sedition but an exercise of freedom of expression.

“Gusto talaga nila ‘yan dahil noong panahon na dinidiin ako sa huwad committee, na-realize nila na hindi nila pupuwedeng kanselahin ang aking passport na walang kasong kriminal. Ang solusyon: magtanim-kaso,” he said.

Roque argued that raising allegations of drug use by the President is within the public’s right to access information, especially that which affects everyday life.

“Hindi rin incitement to sedition ‘yung ginawa kong pagpo-post ng polvoronic video. ‘Yan po’y kabahagi ng aking malayang pananalita … ‘Yan din po ay sang-ayon sa karapatan ng taong-bayan na makakalap ng impormasyon sa mga bagay-bagay na nakakaapekto sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na buhay. At ang isyu po ng pagiging drug addict sa cocaine ni Presidente Marcos Jr. ay isang bagay na nakakaapekto sa bawat aspeto ng buhay ng lahat ng Pilipino,” he explained.

Roque blamed Marcos’ alleged drug use for what he described as his failures in governance, including tensions with China, widespread hunger affecting “one in two” Filipinos, and what he claimed was the “most corrupt budget in Filipino history.”

The lawyer added that Marcos saying that the Imee Marcos who claimed he was a drug addict was not his sister is proof of hallucination, which he linked to chronic cocaine use.

“‘Yan po’y hallucination, at kung titingnan niyo po talaga sa internet, sa Mayo Clinic, ang hallucination po talaga ay isang side effect ng chronic cocaine addiction. ‘Yan po’y ebidensya na naman na siya ay high para sabihin niya ‘yung kapatid niya ay hindi niya kapatid. Nako, matindi po ‘yan, no?” he said.

Roque said the President must seek treatment and let Duterte take the reins.

“Marcos Jr., ‘yung sinasabi mong hindi ‘yung nagsasabi na ikaw ay bangag ay hindi mo kapatid? ‘Yan ay ebidensya na kinakailangan magpagamot ka na at siyempre, ebidensya na dapat magbitiw ka na, dahil hindi mo na kaya ang pagiging Presidente. Ibigay mo na sa taong hindi bangag, si Inday Sara Duterte,” he demanded.

Roque will be filing a motion for reconsideration to appeal the cancellation of his passport.