Why Harry Roque Is Dancing On Stage | Toni Talks

With us today is a lawyer who is a graduate of economics and political science from the University of Michigan. A juris doctor from the UP College of Law. He took up his masters in law at the University of London. And he was a professor in UP where he taught constitutional law and public international law for 15 years. And in his practice, he represented the victims of Maguindanao Massacre, the family of Jennifer Laude, and environmental advocate Jerry Ortega of Palawan. He was the principal aut

hor of the Universal Healthcare Bill and the former Presidential Spokesperson. We have with us, Attorney Harry Roque. Hi. Hello Toni. It's really a pleasure to be here. I didn't know you were raised in Pasay? Yes, I am from Pasay. I was born and raised in Pasay. And I only left Pasay when I was already in high school. Then your mother is a teacher and your father is a lay minister, isn't that right? It's right. My mom was a public school teacher. Later on, she became a professor in UP. And she w

orked abroad. She was one of the first Filipinos offered a permanent post at the University of Chicago, which is a very prestigious university. But because of that, at that time, we couldn't be brought to America immediately because of immigration restrictions, we became an OFW family. So for about 5 years, we did not live with our mother because she was working in the US. Then you have five siblings, all of them are living abroad. All of them are living abroad. Then you're the only one here in

the Philippines? Yes, I'm the only one. Why did you stay in the Philippines? I cannot imagine living elsewhere than the Philippines. I had access already to a green card. I did not accept it. Because even though I was very happy in a university town like in Harbor, Michigan, when you go out, they still make sure you feel that you're not part of them. And that's why I said, I will never feel at home anywhere else but the Philippines. As I said, it's a lonely life here because it's just me and my

2 children. Everyone else is abroad. But, this is home to me. Where did your love for learning come from? Well I think it's because my mom was a teacher. My grandmother was a teacher. And both grandfathers on both sides were also lawyers. So at home, my maternal grandmother was a very big influence. She was big into reading. And I remember when I was only 9 years old, I was reading her books. There were a lot of sex in those books of hers. When my grandmother learned I was reading her books that

contained a lot of sex she reprimanded me. But I told her, "Grandmother, why are you reading it if it isn't supposed to be read?" But I heard that at 3 or 4 years old, you were already in grade 1? Yes. My mother got my age wrong because there were 6 children in the family and my mom has always been a working mom. So I guess, she forgot when I was actually born and enrolled me a year earlier. So initially, I thought I had a learning disability because I was in grade 1 yet I couldn't read. But ap

parently the reason why I couldn't read was because I was 4 years old. So when I became grade 2 and learned to read, that was it. From last section, I went to the honor section. What was your favorite subject when you were studying? It was really the social sciences. Ever since I was a child, I love social sciences, geography. So now, my passion is traveling. I love history. How did you get into taking law? Did you want to be a lawyer since you were a child? You know, together with my grandparen

ts, I was raised by my spinster aunt who died just 3 weeks ago. And she was a state prosecutor, a fiscal. She was a very good fiscal. She handled sensational cases of our time. Bantay arson case, the woman who was butchered, even the Maggie de la Riva rape case. She didn't have security The one that she brings, is me. Because for old fashioned people, they honor the saying that you have to spare women and children. So she felt that when I was with her, she was safe. Since I would go with her, du

ring that time, marathon hearings that last from morning to evening are very common. I had permission from the judge to take a nap in the last row of the court because they go on through the evenings. So I guess because I was exposed to that kind of a lifestyle, I had no choice. When it was time to decide what I want to do in life, it was just lawyering. You know when I entered law school and there was trial practice, it was so natural because I slept through direct and cross examination during

my childhood. It's like you had training when you were still a child. Ever since I was a child, I already knew what would happen. To me, it was really nothing new. When I was in law school, everything was familiar. It was like being a fish in water. Ever since I was in my third year of high school, I was already a Kabataang Makabayan member. I was mouthing slogans already. I became a student leader. When I entered UP, I became vice chairman of the freshman council. Of course, with the support of

the Kabataang Makabayan. There came a point as vice president of the freshman council -- It's because in the system of the KM, you really need to follow. They have collective leadership. I didn't know who was dictating. So I said, why do I have to follow everything that the collective leadership tells me to do. Why do I even have to mouth what they say? Because I noticed that everything was a slogan, so I started questioning. And that's when they expelled me. Because the Kabataang Makabayan is

actually the youth arm of the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines- New People's Army). So I on the other hand, I don't make an issue of the fact that we truly need to do a lot to further the ends of democracy. What I don't like is first of all, collective leadership. Why can't a person think for himself? And second, their continuous adherence to arm struggle. Within myself I thought, this parliamentary struggle is effective. They have many legal fronts that could find them representative

s. Democracy works. I'm an ordinary citizen. I was elected in congress. I am an ordinary citizen, I ran for senate. Why couldn't we settle it in a civil manner? Ultimately, who were the NPA killing? They are also killing the poor which rich person would want to be a soldier? Who the NPA are killing are the ordinary citizen, their fellow poor. So I do not understand why there is a need to use violence and that was really our breaking point. Turning point in your life. Turning point in my life and

that's why I had to go to the US. It was not so much because I wasn't active here, but because I was actually the first to leave the Mainstream Left and they did not like it. VP Leni Robredo was also your dormmate. VP Leni was also my dormmate in Kalayaan. In fact, we were not very good friends but we were more than acquaintance. Because my best friend, the now deceased Congressman Rodel Batocabe, we were best friends even in pre-law during our freshman year, was Bicolano. And because we were b

est friends, so of course he's fellow Bicolanos in his dorm, I also met. Of course, that's how I knew Leni Robredo. When you were in congress, there was an interview where you said those were the happiest moments in your life when you were in congress. You know, that's true. Because first of all, the culture, you're all family. That's why although I was a rather controversial person, many of us are controversial personalities, it was only the first day, all were already giving friendly greetings

. Because the culture, it's 300 people. Not everyone is in a podium all the time. So most of the time, we were giving friendly greetings. It was like high school. It was really a happy time. And it was my happy place. You have no enemy in congress. Everyone is just having a good time. But, you can work hard as much as you want and you can work as little as you want. I on the other hand, I took advantage. Because I knew that most of them are there to bring home the projects to their districts, on

ly few are there who were interested in legislation, I really pushed my legislation and I'm happy to say that even as a first termer, I had 10 of my bills translated into law. What bill were you most proud of? It's definitely Universal Healthcare. You know, I only experienced universal healthcare when I studied in England. I was diabetic even as a masters student of law. As I arrived there, I was shocked that the community nurse asked me to come to them, asked for my prescription, and gave me my

prescription for £1.50 administrative fee. Then all my regular tests, all were free. So that was my first taste of universal healthcare. But I thought, we can't do the same in the Philippines because we are not as rich as England. But 20 years later, when I was invited in Thailand by a classmate in London, they brought me to the launch of the universal healthcare in Thailand. So I said, if Thailand can do it, why can't the Philippines? Then my mother came home from the US. I took care of her fo

r the last 5 years of her life. Did you know, that she was bankrupt? Because she had dialysis 3 times a week. When she died, the day she died was the day when she absolutely ran out of cash. It was as if she didn't want to be a burden to me. And then I realized if my mother who was not poor, who had savings, who had inheritance, was bankrupt because of the cost of healthcare in the Philippines, how more for the ordinary citizens? They simply died because of poverty. That's why I thought of unive

rsal healthcare. It's high time that the government actually pays up because that's an obligation of the state to promote the right to health. When I was sponsoring the speech, I had tears in my eyes because I knew how difficult it is to get sick and she died on the absolute last day when she ran out of cash. That to me was the ultimate love of my mother. She just willed herself to die so I wouldn't be burdened. 2018, you became the spokesperson of the president. What was that like when you were

approached to be the spokesperson? Did you have second thoughts or did you take the position right away? No, I actually said no. Because the truth was, I knew the president before, Then during the Maguindanao Massacre, he helped me. He provided me with transportation and security whenever we went to the crime scene. But it was completely unexpected when he personally called inviting me because first of all, I did not support him in 2016. And he knows that. So I said, "Mr. President, the person

you should recruit to the cabinet is someone who supported you in the elections." "And for spokesperson, it should be someone who knows you inside out." He said, "No, I want you." "I'm your fan." Apparently, there was an incident where we were both in a PAL plane and it was delayed and it was lunch time. So I negotiated for lunch for everyone. Then he tapped me on my shoulder. He said, "You're really good." I said, "I didn't know you were there mayor." What happened was, since he was inviting me

, I actually have a foundation that for the past 30 years, we've been running therapeutic centers for urban poor people. This is something I don't publicize normally. But we are at the poorest of the poor and it's therapeutic community. It's like rehab. So my co-founder, who was Swiss, was there. I said, let's speak with the president because after all, he's recruiting me. And let's give him an alternative to the drug situation. This is the reason why I've never accepted a drug case in my life.

Because I know how bad the drug problem is because I work in the community. So we went to the president to explain that this is how we deal with it. It's a reality. We know it's a very violent life. But there is a way out because it's a faith-based therapeutic community. You know, he agreed with our approach. He agreed that like his mother taught, rehabilitation will not work without a faith component. What's the best thing about being a spokesperson of the president? Well, you're seen. Number 1

. I on the other hand, when I accepted it, I also knew the importance of freedom of information. It's also a human right. And as I said, I took that position because I knew that there was a level of misunderstanding as far as the president was concerned. And I thought perhaps I could help fill that gap. What's the worst thing about being the spokesperson? Being hated by those who hate the president. Being hated more by those who hate the president. By association? By association. Actually, it's

a thankless job because those who love the president love him despite you. It's not because of me. They love him because they've always loved him. But those who hate him, hate me even more. So how do you handle the hate? Nothing. I just accept it. Because before I became a spokesperson, all those journalists who had libel lawsuits, I defended them. All those imprisoned bloggers, not just in the Philippines but abroad, Vietnam and Thailand included, I defended them. So I'm a firm believer in free

dom of expression because whatever lies you tell, we have faculties to ascertain the truth from the falsity. So I have to walk the talk. I've stood for freedom of expression. I need to live with it. What's the biggest misconception about you? The misconception is that I'm a clone of the president. No, I have my own views. But when I was speaking on behalf of the president, I was confident that on areas that we don't agree, he knows my position because I was a congressman. For instance, death pen

alty. I voted against it. So they know what I truly stand for. Lowering the age of criminal responsibility, I voted no also. So they know what I stand for. I have my own personal convictions which at a matter of public record and which I've written about because I have more than 30 published journal articles on these different topics. Speaking of controversies, you've had your own share. Many. Especially during the pandemic. Many. With the protocols, with the dolphins. Like this. You know, all t

hose critics, at the time of pandemic, they wanted to politicize everything. You know what I did in Subic, I breached no laws. Why? Because that was the first day of GCQ (General Community Quarantine). If I'm not mistaken, in Bataan. And I'm from Bataan. In fact after this, I'll go to Bataan. So there was nothing wrong with it. But they made a big thing out of it. Why? Because I was a spokesperson of the president. If they can't hit the president they could hit him through me. I on the other han

d, have a clean conscience, I'm a lawyer. For me, I'm in full compliance. The hell do I care what you think or say. I know, I'm right. because it isn't right to live your life through public opinion. No! For me, I'm in full compliance. Live your own life. So what's your reaction when they make memes about you? When they try to make fun of you. Well, many of them tried to make fun of me but it actually became funny and it endeared me. Many of these memes actually endeared me to the people. It sof

tened my image. I'm even thankful for those who created the memes thinking that people will hate me for them. Like with the dolphin. I was turned into a cartoon character there, wasn't I? Oh my goodness. - So I said, amazing. - So you truly embraced it? Yes. What do you do? In the first place, that's freedom of expression. But I'm reassured that even if some people started them out of hate, people did not accept it as being hateful. They thought it was endearing in fact. So what angers you if yo

u're not angered by stuff like that? The misrepresentation, misquotation. Those really. I was really triggered by those. I'm so firmly committed to freedom of expression but there has to be responsibility. Do not twist my words. The first thing they target you for is you were an advocate for human rights victims, am I right? Then what they're saying now is you joined the slate of UniTeam, of Bongbong Marcos. That's what they're accusing you of. First of all, I can see nothing wrong with Bongbong

Marcos. Why should what they think is the crime of the father, should be paid for by the son? That's not fair. Because as a spokesperson, there are really people like that. I'm guilty by association. Remember when I was in New York running for an ISC (International Service Center) post, they're saying that I'm a war criminal only because I was a spokesperson of the president. So I know how it feels to be blamed for the acts of others, assuming that what they're saying is true. But for me, let's

not talk about the father because I'm supporting the son. So to me, I have no problems with that. What made you run for senate? Number 1, it's really a conviction that no matter what happens, what's important is that we must not lose our focus on the right to livelihood. Do you remember all those haters of mine, they exposed my anger towards some doctors. - Yes, during September 2021. Because what the doctors want, is to have another lockdown. I got mad by that because I said, I acknowledge the

medical frontliners are our modern day heroes but they also have to acknowledge that when it comes to policy making, what we're promoting is total health. Number 1, we need to reduce number of COVID cases but number 2, we also need to reduce the incidents of poverty. That's why there's no choice there. It's not good for us to be free from COVID, only for our citizens to starve. So that's the context. Apparently, what my haters thought, that would make me unpopular. But you know, in 1 month afte

r that was leaked, my conversion rate went up from 9 to 18, it was doubled. That's the only thing I could think of that many people agreed. So okay, since many people agreed on my position, we might as well make this our primary platform. Livelihood first no matter what. But second, I have unfinished business. Because I really liked my role as lawmaker. And sometimes, I don't know if should've stayed on because I had 200-plus bills. I had only made ten. So my unfinished business, I want to make

them into laws again. There's the right to food. We want to eradicate poverty within 6 years. There's the right to water. You know when I filed that in 2016, people ignored it. Look what's happening now, we're running out of potable water. So even 6 years ago, I knew this was going to happen. And we need to act fast. There's also the freedom of information, I've been a primary exponent. Then there's the most important, Whistleblower Act. Because you know those cases of corruption and cases of ki

llings, they really would not be convicted unless you have a witness. And more often than not, because these are crimes done in secrecy, only your co-conspirator may provide testimony. And without the Whistleblower Act, they cannot testify without, of course, being granted immunity. So that's part of the benefits that we give to whistleblowers. What kind of senator does the Philippines need? Our citizens have to understand that a senator is a lawmaker. And laws of course, are policies. It goes t

hrough, "What is the law?" Why is it followed? Because they promote what is good for us. As Filipinos, as human beings. They don't enforce the law. They make the law. They make the policy. So it's important to know the law. You don't have to be a lawyer, but you need to know what the law is. Number 2, you need to use the law to effect change. What we need is to bring about a huge change by using the law. And that's what I hope our citizens should see. Not just fame. If not, then what kind of pol

icy will they bring? How will they change our society? What good would they bring to our country using the new policy? That's what I'm asking for. You know when we look at all your academic background, your record, they are all outstanding. So many people are asking, why do you dance in rallies? Well they thought, I couldn't dance. Why do you dance? Because by only your achievements, you have a lot to be proud of. You know, I think to myself what would I lose? They know that I taught law at UP f

or 15 years. They know that I became the president of the Asian Society of International Law. They know that I have an advanced degree in law. When it comes to my capabilities, there's no issue. But what other people don't know, is that I'm also a cheerful person. And also, I really like to dance, so to each their own. So what do you do in your spare time? Because I heard that you've been a licensed diver for 20 years. I'm a very avid diver. Every opportunity I have, I go diving. It's why I'm al

ways in the sea. So, they really shouldn't resent that I'm always at the beach because that's really my passion. You know, diving is a form of meditation. You have to be very relaxed. And it's beautiful down there. And of course, I'm a christian. So when you see the beauty of the underwater life, it's a form of worshipping God for the beauty of His creation. Number 2, it's also a source of livelihood. Many are relying on the diving industry for livelihood. Number 3, camaraderie amongst divers is

really wonderful. Maybe because, you know, it's also a risky hobby. So you build very strong bonds with people that you dive with. What is one thing that you want people to know about you? Well, that I'm a normal human being. That I love life. And that the reason why I survived through many ordeals in this life is because I laugh at things. I laugh at problems. And I always think that there would always be a solution no matter what problem comes your way.