Harry Roque’s high school alma mater backs UP’s objection to his ILC campaign

Following the University of the Philippines’ statement over presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s International Law Commission (ILC) bid, his high school alma mater expressed its objection as well.

The UP Integrated School’s executive committee on Sept. 15, said it “concurs with the position” of UP Diliman’s objection to Roque’s campaign to be one of the 34 members of the ILC. 

Roque, who earned his Law degree from the UP in 1990, is an alumnus of UPIS Batch 1982. He also taught international law for over a decade. 

The school’s executive committee is composed of the principal, assistant principals, department heads, administrative officer, and head librarian. 

In a statement on Tuesday, Sept. 14, UP Diliman’s executive committee said Roque has a “very poor track record of promoting, defending, and fulfilling human rights and the rule of law, especially during the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte in which he serves as a cabinet member."

UP’s statement also said the presidential spokesman’s inclusion in the ILC would “diminish the reputation of the body.”

Roque responded to UP’s objection on Wednesday morning, saying “there are some sectors who will do everything to besmirch my good name, reputation, and integrity simply because I do not subscribe to and share their same political beliefs."

As of this writing, there are 300 organizations that are calling on ILC to reject Roque’s bid to the international law body. The petition can be found on iDEFEND’s website. 

The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) and National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL) also opposed the presidential spokesperson’s bid to the ILC.