Talent manager and content creator Ogie Diaz did not hold back in criticizing former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, following his statements against Senator Risa Hontiveros and his refusal to return to the Philippines amid legal issues.
Roque, who is currently in The Hague, Netherlands, was recently called a “fugitive” by Sen. Hontiveros during a press briefing after he demanded her removal from the Senate. Hontiveros fired back, saying: “Umuwi muna siya. Humarap muna siya rito sa Senado, haharapin ko siya kahit saan. Pero ngayon, bitawan na n’ya yung buhay pugante n’ya.”
Roque responded via a video message, denying he was a fugitive and asserting that he is a “bonafide asylum seeker” in the Netherlands.
In reaction, Ogie Diaz reposted the video on his Facebook page and unleashed a strong message directed at Roque: “Ateng, yung suggestion mong magkapit-bisig para mapatalsik si Senator Risa Hontiveros, wag mo utusan ang mga tao.
“Nyeta ka! Yun ngang kumpas mo ng kampon ng kadiliman vs kampon ng kasamaan, di mo na napasunod yung mga tao, eto pa kaya?
“Bumalik ka dito, gagah. Harapin mo kasi yung mga reklamo sa ‘yo kung matapang ka.
“Walang umaapi sa ‘yo. Ikaw ang may kagagawan kaya ka hindi makauwi. Juice ko, dati ang tino-tino mo, anyare na sa ‘yo ngayon, teh?
“Parang tumatandang paurong yarn?”
This isn’t the first time Diaz has called out Roque. Back in May, the online personality criticized the former spokesperson for denouncing the Philippine government’s efforts to have him arrested via Interpol. Roque is facing legal troubles tied to his alleged role as legal counsel for a controversial Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Pampanga.
Roque has been vocal from abroad, even appearing outside the International Criminal Court detention center — where former President Rodrigo Duterte is reportedly detained — claiming the charges and arrest plans against him are a form of corruption.
Diaz, unimpressed, previously challenged him: “Juice ko, ang lola nyo, nagtutungayaw doon. Matapang dahil nasa ibang lugar. Umuwi ka kasi dito para idepensa mo ang sarili mo kung wala ka talagang kasalanan, ateng. Kalokah.”
On top of this, a warrant of arrest has been issued by Angeles City RTC Branch 118 against Roque and Cassandra Ong in connection to a human trafficking case linked to the POGO operations.
Roque, however, remains defiant. In one of his Facebook Live, he declared: “Kahit ano pang kunin n’yong red notice alert diyan, eh manigas kayo! Hindi n’yo ako makukuha habang nakabinbin itong asylum na ‘to dito sa Netherlands.”
As of writing, Roque remains abroad, and Ogie Diaz’s blunt message continues to echo on social media, stirring both criticism and praise.
