Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday that the disbarment case filed against him by lawyer Melvin Matibag before the Supreme Court for the “polvoronic” video posted on the former’s social media page was a desperate act of attention.  

“We have to understand that the posting of the video in social media is protected by free speech under the privileged doctrine,” Atty Roque said. “It involves a serious disease of a President that deserves an admission or denial. PBBM has not done either.”

The “polvoronic” video, he added, is a national security matter affecting the lives and future of millions of Filipinos.  

“The authenticity and the content of the video deserve widespread discussion,” his statement read. “In any case, it is clear it does not prove that the President is an addict since the video is not capable of showing what is being snorted.”

He said the authenticity and the content of the video deserve widespread discussion.

Matibag, who briefly served as then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet secretary, kept the details under wraps but hinted that Roque’s controversial social media posts—especially the infamous "polvoron" video featuring President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—are part of the allegations.

The former secretary general of Duterte’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino emphasized the gravity of the situation: “Disbarment proceedings are confidential, but the ‘polvoron’ issue—a deep fake—is just one instance. As lawyers, we must uphold high standards and be responsible with our online conduct."

“Complaints of disbarment, first and foremost, should NOT be made in public,” Roque said.  

He added that one thing is clear from all this—the Quad Committee is pinning him due to the “polaronic” video that went viral in July.  

“Ayon na rin ito mismo sa mga dating kasamahan ko saKamara (That is according to

My former colleagues in the House of Representatives), Roque added.