Who is AR De La Serna, Harry Roque's Europe 'travel companion'?
MANILA, Philippines — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is a hot topic once more after it was discovered he funded a certain Alberto Rodulfo "AR" De La Serna to be his travel companion for a trip to Europe.
Papers retrieved from a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Pampanga include document appointing De La Serna Executive Assistant III with a Salary Grade 20 in the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson for nearly the entirety of 2021.
Also retreived was an "affidavit of support" that said Roque would provide financial support for De La Serna's travel to Poland, Ukraine, and Italy last October as De La Serna would be an "invited resource person" to speak at a Peace Process event in Ukraine.
Roque also claimed that in the document he "needed a travel companion since I am diabetic, with coronary stent and suffering from acute spinal stenosis" and was financially capable to cover De La Serna's travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals.
De La Serna is a Business Administration graduate from Holy Name University in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. He competed at the 2015 Misters of Filipinas pageant, finishing in the Top 10 with Mister Photogenic and Mister Esplanade awards.
Related: 'Optimus Prime' arrested for driving stolen car
He was elevated to second runner-up spot when first runner-up Don MacGyver Cochico was appointed as Manhunt International Philippines and the original second runner-up Kevin Fichera took the latter's vacated spot.
In 2016, he rescinded the runner-up spot to compete again and became the first-ever Mister Supranational Philippines titleholder.
De La Serna went on to represent the Philippines at the inaugural Mister Supranational in Poland that year, which was won by Mexico's Diego Garcy. De La Serna finished in the Top 20.
Roque told News5 that De La Serna comes from a political family, with one grandfather a former Bohol governor and another a former vice-mayor.
The ex-presidential spokesperson added he hired De La Serna and his friends to handle his social media accounts during his Malacañang stint and unsuccessful election bid.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission already cleared Roque's name from further investigation and are not investigating De La Serna.
RELATED: Viral Negros newlyweds to remarry after church incident
