On November 13, Netizens reacted to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque’s failed bid for a seat in the United Nations International Law Commission.
The Philippine Government nominated Roque, a lawyer by profession, for one of the eight seats allotted for the Asia Pacific region in the ILC. However, he received the least votes, with only 87 out of 191 members favoring his bid.
As a result, netizens went on social media to post their reactions to Roque’s failed bid.
I am here to speak up to the UN that Harry Roque does not speak nor represent the Filipino people. He’s on his own. Thus, HE did no succeed. But WE did. https://t.co/ZBflYaQfT3
— Em S. Yuan (@earlprincebasil) November 13, 2021
https://twitter.com/cher_jonel/status/1459298128331296769
https://twitter.com/febbled/status/1459381434255245312
My friend from the UN said Harry Roque did not make it to the ILC.
Mirisi.
— Atoyyni (@atoyyni) November 12, 2021
Some of the netizens even recalled Roque’s “toothless tiger” remark against the UN in 2019.
Harry Roque, who once called the UN’s human rights arm a ‘toothless tiger’, is seeking a role at the International Law Commission. Charot! https://t.co/KAMgm9xHbX
— Charot! (@IamCharotism) November 9, 2021
Other’s thanked the UN for not electing Roque for the seat in ILC.
Good news that neither Mohan Peiris of #srilanka not Harry Roque of #philippines were elected to the UN International Law Commission today, thanks in large part to superb campaigning by groups led by .@iDEFENDhr
background: https://t.co/szNOmyyOl0 https://t.co/EcoHNvvKmL pic.twitter.com/pAObJyFEqE
— ITJP (@itjpsl) November 12, 2021
UN ILC’s rejection of Harry Roque is a reflection of how this esteemed body regards Pres Duterte!!
Harry Roque as Pres Duterte’s mouthpiece deserves all the flak that he’s getting!!#there’sjusticeafterall#karmaisabitch
— bella (@isabelmerana) November 12, 2021
We the Concerned Online Citizens are happy that the UN voted down @attyharryroque's nomination to the ILC. THE EVIL IS DEFEATED.
We thank @UN delegates for considering the many letters of opposition from lawyers, human rights defenders, and ours as well #COCblockHarryRoque pic.twitter.com/IMtKEFIzya
— Tonyo Cruz (@tonyocruz) November 12, 2021
Tina Panganiban Perez quoted NUPL Pres Atty Edre U. Olalia, who expressed “enourmous comfort” towards Roque’s non-election.
NUPL Pres Atty Edre U. Olalia, IADL Transitional President, signatory to 177 Phil lawyers’ opposition to Roque's UN ILC bid: Without deriving any pleasure over it, it is still with enormous comfort that we meet the non-election of Harry to the ILC. @gmanews
— Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) November 13, 2021
On the other hand, the representatives from India, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, China, South Korea, Cyprus, and Mongolia received the highest vote resulting in their elections for eight seats in ILC.
Elected representatives, who will develop and codify international law, will serve a five-year term starting January 1, 2023, and upon the exit of the present 34 members of the ILC at the end of 2022.
Earlier, Roque also earned flak from netizens with his remark towards government critics, especially during the pandemic.
