MALATE, Manila — Atty. Herminio ‘Harry’ Roque Jr., the fugitive former presidential spokesperson of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte has not yet submitted his counter-affidavit on the qualified trafficking charges filed against him before the Department of Justice (DoJ).

According to state prosecutor Eugene Yusi, despite having been notified already about the complaint against him, “Roque has not yet submitted his counter affidavit” nor has he participated or represented himself during the High Court’s preliminary investigation.

“If he fails to appear or to participate in the preliminary investigation, the complaint will be resolved on the basis of the . . . evidence annexed to the complaint,” Yusi pointed out.

However, when sought for comment, Roque clarified through a virtual communication that he has yet to receive a copy of the complaint.

“I haven’t been furnished with (the) complaint affidavit. Wala pa rin summons from DoJ (there were also no summons from the DoJ),” he added.

It was in mid-October that government authorities filed a supplemental complaint affidavit against Roque as the lawyer was added in the initial trafficking complaint against Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Li Ong, the authorized representative of Lucky South 99 that operates and reportedly owns the Philippine Offshore gaming Operators (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.

Denying the accusations thrown against him, Roque said he will answer the complaint, but maintained that there are numerous ways to do so besides a personal appearance to the justice department.

Meanwhile, Ong’s camp said they will file their counter-affidavit next week while other respondents in the complaint were able to file their counter-affidavit during the preliminary probe.