Jailed Ex-Senator Leila De Lima Dares Harry Roque to Surrender

October 7, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

Ex-Senator Leila De Lima has publicly urged former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to surrender to authorities following a contempt order issued against him by the House of Representatives. De Lima’s remarks came as she filed her certificate of nomination and acceptance for the Mamamayang Liberal party-list at the Manila Hotel Tent City on October 5, 2024.

De Lima emphasized that Roque, as a lawyer, has a duty to face the legal challenges before him. “Of course, he must. He is a lawyer. He is a man of law. He is supposed to be a lawyer,” she was quoted as saying in a report published by Cebu Daily News.

De Lima herself faced numerous legal battles, having been detained for over six years on charges she claims were fabricated in retaliation for her investigations into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial drug war.

De Lima reflected on her own experiences, stating, “Ako nga hinarap ko eh, kahit gawa-gawang mga kaso eh. Hinarap ko ang batas” (I faced it, even with fabricated cases. I faced the law). She described her journey through the legal system as “painful and tedious,” yet underscored the importance of confronting legal issues head-on.

The former senator criticized Roque for his apparent evasion of the law, saying, “So dapat ganoon. Kung wala yang kasalanan, wala kang itinatago, harapin mo nang buong tapang” (So it should be. If you have no wrongdoing and have nothing to hide, face it boldly).

De Lima pointed out that Roque’s actions, including his frequent live-streams on social media, appear to show a lack of respect for the law. “…nagtatapang-tapangan lang sya… ini-insulto niya pa ang ating mga law enforcers” (he is just pretending to be brave… insulting our law enforcers), she added.

The contempt charges against Roque stem from his failure to comply with a subpoena requiring him to submit a range of financial documents, including his statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth from 2016 to 2022. The subpoena also requested income tax returns for Roque and his wife from 2014 to 2022, as well as various legal documents related to his family’s estate.

If Roque is arrested, he will be detained until he submits the requested documents or until the committee investigating him is dissolved. This marks Roque’s second contempt order; he was previously detained for 24 hours last month for allegedly misleading the committee regarding his absence from a hearing.

De Lima pointed out the irony of Roque’s situation, recalling his previous harsh remarks towards her, including his comment that she should “spend the rest of your life in jail.” Now, she remarked, “Alam niyo naman kung ano yung mga pinagsasasabi niya sa akin and look at him now, he’s on the run” (You know what he said about me, and look at him now, he’s on the run). She expressed that Roque might finally realize the gravity of his previous statements about her, saying, “Siguro naman na-realize na niya kung gaano kamali ang mga nasabi niya tungkol sa akin” (Surely he has realized how wrong his words about me were).

Roque has denied any wrongdoing and has distanced himself from ongoing investigations linking him to Lucky South 99, a Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in Porac, Pampanga. Documents bearing his signature were reportedly discovered during law enforcement operations at the site. Despite this, Roque has maintained that he has no connection to the hub.

In a further attempt to protect himself from the contempt order and the arrest warrant, Roque sought intervention from the Supreme Court. However, his request was denied, adding to his legal troubles.