Harry Roque’s Wife to be Arrested Over POGO Investigation Contempt

October 11, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

The House Quad Committee (QuadComm) cited in contempt and ordered the arrest of Mylah Roque, the wife of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. This decision stems from her repeated failure to attend hearings related to the investigation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), an area where the couple has faced scrutiny.

During the committee meeting on October 11, 2024, Antipolo Representative Romeo Acop moved for Mylah Roque’s arrest after she had ignored multiple invitations to appear before the panel. “May I respectfully move that because Madam Mylah Roque has been cited in contempt by this committee, may I move to issue an arrest order,” Acop stated, emphasizing the need for accountability in the inquiry.

The move to cite Mylah Roque in contempt was initiated by Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Joseph Stephen Paduano. “Since we have given Ms. Roque the due process with regards to this, supposedly her presence, in the hearing, I move to cite in contempt Ms. Roque,” he was quoted as saying in a report published by GMA Network.

QuadComm lead chairperson, Surigao del Norte Representative Ace Barbers, noted that Mylah Roque had failed to attend the hearings three times, despite the committee’s attempts to engage her. The committee had previously issued a subpoena, but they reported receiving no response from her.

Mylah Roque’s absence from the hearings is particularly concerning as the QuadComm seeks to investigate her involvement in signing a lease agreement with Chinese nationals linked to a POGO complex in Bamban, Tarlac. The committee’s inquiry aims to shed light on potential irregularities and illegal activities associated with POGOs, a topic that has drawn significant public attention and controversy.

In a late September Facebook post, Mylah Roque indicated that she had traveled to Singapore for medical treatment. However, the committee rejected her medical certificates as valid justification for her absence. She criticized Barbers in her post, labeling him “an abusive individual” for connecting her to the illegal operations of POGOs.

The ongoing inquiry into POGOs has also put Harry Roque under scrutiny. He was cited in contempt and ordered detained by the QuadComm on September 13 for failing to submit requested documents that could clarify his financial dealings. The former Cabinet official has consistently denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the committee’s requests are irrelevant to the inquiry.

Harry Roque has described the QuadComm hearings as a “political inquisition” aimed at him and his connections to the Duterte administration. He has stated, “What crime did I commit? File the appropriate charges in the proper court of law.” Roque expressed frustration over what he views as a violation of his privacy and the potential harm to his family due to the ongoing investigations.