Rico Roque

Rico Roque
Mayor of Pandi, Bulacan
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 30, 2019
Preceded byCelestino T. Marquez
In office
June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2016
Preceded byRoberto Magsaysay Oca Jr.
Succeeded byCelestino T. Marquez
Personal details
Born
Enrico Agustin Roque
NationalityFilipino
Political partyNational Unity Party
Residence(s)Pandi, Bulacan
OccupationPolitician

Enrico "Rico" Agustin Roque is a Filipino politician who served as the mayor of Pandi, Bulacan, Philippines. He served two terms as mayor, first from 2010 to 2016, and then since 2019. He is a member of the National Unity Party (NUP). He gained public attention in December 2024 following his arrest on rape charges

Political career

Roque first served as mayor of Pandi, a municipality in Bulacan province, from 2010 to 2016. After a three-year gap, he returned to office in 2019. He held this position until his arrest in December 2024.[1] During his tenure, he was affiliated with the National Unity Party.

On December 18, 2024, Roque was arrested along with two others at his residence in Pandi, Bulacan by operatives from the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).[2][1] The arrest was made in connection with rape charges filed in 2019.[3] A warrant of arrest was issued by Judge Georgina Alvaro of the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 78.[4]

The two other individuals arrested with Roque were identified as James Blanco, a municipal councilor, and Justine Manalastas.[5][6] The arrests were made following a complaint filed by a 21-year-old woman.[7]

On December 23, 2024, Roque was released from jail, and the Office of the City Prosecutor in Caloocan City reinvestigated the charges. His camp stated that the allegations were false, fabricated, politically motivated, and a clear form of harassment. Meanwhile, Roque's lawyer, John Ree Doctor, mentioned that the case is still ongoing and will be returned to the City Prosecutor's Office for proper process and reinvestigation.[8][9]

References

  1. ^ a b "Pandi, Bulacan mayor, 2 others nabbed for rape". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 18, 2024.
  2. ^ "Pandi, Bulacan mayor, 2 others arrested for alleged rape". ABS-CBN News. December 18, 2024.
  3. ^ "Bulacan mayor arrested over 2019 rape charges". Rappler. December 18, 2024.
  4. ^ "Bulacan mayor, 2 others arrested over rape complaint". The Philippine Star. December 19, 2024.
  5. ^ "Pandi, Bulacan mayor, others arrested for alleged rape". GMA Network. December 18, 2024.
  6. ^ "James Blanco, kalaban sa rape case ni Pandi Mayor Enrico Roque, identified as municipal councilor". PEP.ph. December 18, 2024.
  7. ^ "Pandi mayor, councilor arrested for rape complaints". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 18, 2024.
  8. ^ Joahna Lei Casilao (2024-12-23). "Court releases Pandi mayor, orders rape charges reinvestigated". GMA Integrated News.
  9. ^ Manny Balbin (2024-12-23). "Bulacan town mayor released from jail". Philippine News Agency.