House Panel Urges Harry Roque to Surrender: “This is Not the Time to be Evasive”

October 3, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

The House of Representatives has indicated that the contempt order against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque can be lifted if he cooperates with the ongoing investigation into illegal activities linked to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers made this announcement during an online briefing on Wednesday.

Barbers emphasized the importance of Roque’s participation in the hearings. He was quoted as saying in a report published by the Inquirer, “Well, very simple ang aming panawagan sa kanya, marami naman siyang kaibigan dito sa Kongreso and we just want him to be cooperative with the members of the quad, so that makatulong din siya sa ferreting out of the truth.” (Well, our appeal to him is very simple; he has many friends here in Congress, and we just want him to be cooperative with the members of the quad so that he can help in ferreting out the truth.)

The quad committee is investigating Lucky South 99, a POGO firm that was raided on June 4, 2024 due to allegations of human trafficking. During this raid, documents with Roque’s signature were reportedly discovered. The committee believes that Roque’s cooperation could shed light on the matter, especially since he has ties to individuals involved in the Pogo operations.

Roque acknowledged that he accompanied Cassandra Ong, an incorporator of Whirlwind Corporation—which leased land to Lucky South 99—to settle fees with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). However, he has maintained that he was not acting as a lawyer for the POGO firm.

Barbers reiterated that Roque’s cooperation is key to resolving the situation. “If in these documents that we require of him will prove that he has no participation or any involvement in these illegal Pogo operations of Lucky South 99, then we would be more than willing to perhaps mend ways with Atty. Harry Roque,” he said.

The contempt order against Roque was issued after he failed to appear at hearings on September 12 and did not comply with a subpoena requiring him to submit important documents, including his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and tax declarations for his companies. Barbers explained, “Well, once he appears before the committee and submits all these documents required of him, we will definitely lift the contempt order against him.”

Roque had previously promised to submit the necessary documents, which is why he was initially cited for contempt. His failure to do so during subsequent hearings has led to the current situation. “In fact, he appeared before the quad committee hearings twice — so, we’re just surprised that on the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh time, he did not appear and he did not submit the documents,” Barbers added.

As a result of the contempt order, an arrest warrant has been issued, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been tasked with locating Roque. However, Roque maintains that he is not a fugitive. In a video posted on his Facebook page on September 16, he stated that it is merely a branch of Congress that made the declaration against him. He asserted that he would not allow himself to be arrested until the Supreme Court rules on the matter.

The Supreme Court recently denied Roque’s request for a writ of amparo, concluding that his appeal was not a suitable remedy against the congressional contempt and detention orders. This denial adds further complexity to Roque’s legal situation.

In a joint statement, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez and Robert Ace Barbers said that with the Supreme Court decision, Roque should simply face the music and respond to allegations revolving around his supposed ties to illegal POGOs.

“Just surrender, Attorney Roque,” Fernandez said. “This is not the time to be evasive. He should not hide behind technicalities or writs that have no legal basis.”

Barbers echoed this sentiment by saying: “If he is not hiding anything, then why go into hiding? The public deserves to know the truth.”

“If he believes he is innocent, he should welcome the opportunity to clear his name in a proper legal forum. Trying to escape through technicalities only raises more suspicions,” Barbers pointed out.