Supreme Court Denies Harry Roque’s Plea to Stop House Arrest Warrant in POGO Probe

October 2, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

The Supreme Court of the Philippines has denied a petition for a writ of amparo filed on behalf of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. His daughter, Bianca Roque, had sought this special protective order to prevent enforcement of an arrest warrant issued by the House of Representatives’ quad-committee. The court’s decision, announced on October 1, 2024, underscores the limitations of the amparo remedy in cases involving congressional actions.

Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Ting clarified that the writ is generally reserved for instances involving extrajudicial killings and desaparecidos or enforced disappearances. She was quoted as saying by the Philippine Star: “The scope of amparo is limited to extra-judicial killings and threats thereof, which is not present in this case.” This explanation signals the court’s view that the legal challenges facing Roque do not fall within the purview of the amparo framework.

The ongoing legal disputes center on Roque’s alleged connections to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), particularly concerning his ties to illegal activities. The House committee is conducting an inquiry into these operations, exploring their potential links to organized crime, including drug trafficking. The panel has attempted to compel Roque to attend hearings and provide documents related to the investigation. Roque has failed to comply, leading to two citations for contempt and an order for his detention.

Bianca Roque’s petition, submitted on September 23, argued that legislative inquiries must respect the individual rights of those invited or affected by such hearings. She emphasized that “the power of legislative inquiry must be carefully balanced with the private rights of those affected.” Furthermore, she called on the high court to clarify the boundaries of congressional authority to ensure that the fundamental rights of citizens are upheld.

In addition to the writ of amparo, Roque’s petition also sought a writ of prohibition. This would prevent the House committee from requiring him to attend future hearings or submit any additional documents. He contends that he has already provided all pertinent information related to the inquiry. Roque’s legal team argues that the committee’s actions infringe upon his constitutional rights.

Despite the denial of the amparo petition, the Supreme Court directed the House committee to respond to Roque’s petition for prohibition within ten days. This indicates that the court is willing to consider aspects of the case related to the committee’s authority and the rights of individuals involved in legislative inquiries.

Roque’s legal troubles began amid allegations of his involvement with Lucky South 99, an illegal operation raided by authorities in June. Evidence collected during the raid revealed serious offenses, including human trafficking, torture, and scams. This scrutiny has placed Roque under significant pressure, and he has been in hiding since lawmakers ordered his detention.