The former head of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Royina Garma, is currently being held in detention in the United States as she awaits a decision on her request for political asylum.
Garma, a retired police officer, was arrested in San Francisco in late 2024 after her visa was revoked.
Her lawyer, Emerito Quilang, has confirmed that Garma filed for asylum in November 2024, citing fears of political persecution if she were to return to the Philippines.
Garma’s asylum claim is connected to charges against her in the Philippines.
She is accused of being involved in the 2020 murder of Wesley Barayuga, the PCSO Board Secretary.
Witnesses have testified that Garma may have been part of a plot to kill Barayuga over internal conflicts at PCSO.
Garma, however, denies any involvement in the crime.
In the Philippines, Garma is facing legal proceedings related to the murder charges.
The Department of Justice has scheduled a hearing for May 2025, where her defense team plans to present their case.
Garma’s supporters argue that she is seeking asylum to protect herself, while some critics believe she is trying to escape legal responsibility in the Philippines.
The case has attracted attention both in the Philippines and abroad, and Garma’s asylum request is still under review by US immigration authorities.
Royina Garma is the former General Manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and a retired police officer.
Asylum is a form of international protection granted to individuals in a foreign country because they have suffered persecution or have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country. This protection allows them to remain in the host country instead of being returned to the country where they fear harm.
While Garma’s asylum case is separate from the charges in the Philippines, the outcome of her asylum request could impact whether she is deported to face those charges.
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