POGO Update: Quad-Committee Issues Subpoena for Harry Roque’s Ex-Aide, AR Dela Serna

August 27, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

The House quad-committee has issued a subpoena to Alberto Rodulfo “AR” Dela Serna, the former executive assistant to ex-presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, after he failed to attend a critical hearing.

This action comes after Dela Serna submitted an excuse letter through his lawyer, Kevin San Agustin, which was deemed invalid by the committee. This House quad-committee is investigating illegal activities linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), illegal drugs, and alleged extrajudicial killings during former President Rodrigo Duterte administration’s drug war.

According to a report published by ABS-CBN News, the committee questioned the legitimacy of Dela Serna’s excuse. Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, co-chair of the quad-committee, moved for the issuance of the subpoena. Paduano argued that in the excuse letter, the lawyer didn’t provide any proof of his legal authority to represent the ex-aide of Roque. De La Serna is a Business Administration graduate from Holy Name University in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. He became the first-ever Mister Supranational Philippines titleholder in 2016.

The committee had previously issued a show-cause order to Dela Serna on August 16. His connections to the POGO hubs were uncovered during a raid at the Lucky South 99 compound in Porac, Pampanga, conducted by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

During this raid, authorities found Dela Serna’s appointment papers as Executive Assistant III under Roque, dated October 5, 2021. An affidavit from Roque also emerged, stating he had covered Dela Serna’s financial needs during a trip to Poland, Ukraine, and Italy in October 2023.

According to a statement released by the House, these findings have led to serious concerns about Dela Serna and Roque since it raised “serious questions about the nature of their relationship and the legitimacy of their travels.”

Last July 29, Dela Serna has denied any knowledge of illegal activities at the POGO hub but admitted to living for free at Lucky South 99, the raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga. “Never naman ako siningil, madam chair. Hindi ko po alam bakit hindi nila ako sinisingil,” Dela Serna said back then.

This statement elicited laughter from the audience, prompting Senator Risa Hontiveros to remark, “Sana all!” She added, “Siguro kaya natatawa din ang iba nating kasama kasi naiisip namin, sana all! Bilang Pilipino, malakas ang utang na loob natin sa mga taong gumagawa nang mabuti sa atin, lalo na’t walang hinihinging kapalit.” (“Maybe that’s why others are laughing because we’re thinking, ‘I wish we all had that!’ As Filipinos, we have a strong sense of gratitude towards those who do good for us without asking for anything in return.”)

Dela Serna disclosed that Roque had introduced him to Cassandra Ong, the authorized representative of Lucky South, to arrange his accommodation at the POGO hub. Roque’s name was linked to the POGO operations after a travel document bearing his name, which was found in the raid, indicated that he had supported Dela Serna’s travels due to his various health issues.