by Jed Harme
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque has failed to secure a seat in the International Law Commission (ILC) post after strong opposition from law experts and human rights groups from around the world, making the "#Dasurv" trend on Twitter, Saturday morning.
Only 87 voted in favor of Roque's nomination to the ILC, getting the least number of votes in the bloc that Philippines belongs to.
The commission will only have 34 members that will be elected in the UN General Assembly and Roque did not make it.
Previously, around 150 Philippine lawyers wrote to UN member-states to oppose the ILC bid of the spokesman as he defend the enabling killings, attacks on the rule of law, and poor pandemic response, among others of President Duterte.
Moreover, the International Association of Democratic Lawyers said that Roque has arrogantly defended and justified even beyond the “call of duty” his principal’s attacks on human rights, justice, rule of law, and due process.
"My candidature at the ILC was a challenging campaign throughout but we met it head on. Unfortunately, we did not succeed," Roque said in a Facebook statement.
"I thank President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, for his nomination and unwavering support of my candidature. I thank the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the officers and staff of the Philippines’ Permanent Mission to the United Nations, for their steadfast professionalism and support," he added.