Mr. Supranational PH Winner AR Dela Serna Admits Having Joint Bank Account with Harry Roque

September 5, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

Alberto Rodulfo “AR” Dela Serna revealed during a House quad-committee hearing on September 4, 2024, that he had a joint bank account with his former employer, lawyer Harry Roque. This disclosure caught the attention of attending lawmakers, particularly Antipolo City 2nd district Representative Romeo Acop.

AR competed in Poland as the Philippines’ representative in the first-ever staging of the Mr. Supranational in 2016. The model and pageant winner is a Business Administration graduate from Holy Name University in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. AR worked as Roque’s “executive assistant” and held the position of Executive Assistant III with a Salary Grade 20 for most of 2021.

The House quad-committee is investigating illegal POGOs and the illegal drug trade as well as Roque’s alleged links to Lucky South 99, an illegal POGO hub where Roque was named as legal counsel.

Dela Serna confirmed that the joint bank account, now closed, had received a significant one-time deposit of PHP 3 million. “Magkano naman ang kino-contribute mo, o kinontribute mo initially doon sa joint account ninyo?” (How much did you contribute, or initially contribute to your joint account?) Acop was quoted as saying in a report published by Manila Bulletin.

Dela Serna replied, “Wala po akong kino-contribute po doon” (I didn’t contribute anything to it). Despite not making any deposits, Dela Serna was authorized by Roque to withdraw funds from the account.

Dela Serna went on disclose that he was authorized by the former presidential spokesperson to withdraw anytime he wanted to.

“Ganun? Nalalaman ko lang yan nang nangyayari yan sa mag-asawa, mag-ina, o mag-ama eh. Di po ba? Di ba joint account? Ano sa tingin mo, hijo?” Acop asked. (Is that so? I only see that happen with married couples, mother and child, or father and child. Right? Is it a joint account? What you think, son?)

Dela Serna pointed out, “Hindi ko naman po pinapakialaman yung pera po ni Atty. Roque (I don’t meddle with Atty. Roque’s money).”

When questioned by Acop about the unusual financial arrangement, which typically involves close family members, Dela Serna explained, “Inutusan lang po ako, mr. chair, sumunod lang naman po ako” (I was ordered to do something, mr. chair, and I just followed).

Acop sarcastically inquired, “Pag sasabihin ba niyang lumundag ka sa bangin, lulundag ka?” (If he tells you to jump off a cliff, would you jump?), to which Dela Serna responded, “Hindi naman po siguro mr. chair” (I don’t think so, mr. chair).

In addition to the financial revelations, Dela Serna disclosed that he traveled abroad with Roque six times in 2023, visiting locations such as Hong Kong, Beijing, Japan, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi.

Despite his salary being reduced to PHP 20,000, he continued to work for Roque, citing future business opportunities as a reason. “Mayroon kasi kaming private conversation ni Atty. Roque… mayroon siyang iniutos sa akin regarding business venture niya, if that would boom, then I would benefit also po” (We had a private conversation with Atty. Roque… he gave me orders regarding his business venture, and if it would boom, then I would benefit also).

Dela Serna also addressed questions regarding the solar power plant project in Cebu, which he claimed was a reason for his continued employment despite a reduced salary. “Hindi ako umalis kay Sir Harry kasi maganda naman yung opportunity kasi the solar plant sa Cebu parang mag-oopen na po soon” (I didn’t leave Sir Harry because the opportunity was good since the solar plant in Cebu is about to open soon).

Representative Mikaela Angela Suansing questioned why Dela Serna agreed to open a joint account with Roque, despite his minimal involvement and knowledge of the account’s transactions. “Kahit na tumatanggap siya ng PHP 20,000 per month na sahod, pumayag siya na magbukas ng joint bank account kasama si Atty. Harry Roque na hindi niya alam ang pumapasok, magkano ang pumasok, magkano ang lumabas” (Even though he receives PHP 20,000 per month as salary, he agreed to open a joint bank account with Atty. Harry Roque without knowing what goes in, how much went in, and how much went out).

Dela Serna maintained that his trust in Roque was based on the belief that Roque would not harm him. “Hindi naman ako ipapahamak ni Atty. Roque… iyon po ang basis ko to trust Atty. Roque” (I don’t think Atty. Roque would harm me… that was my basis for trusting Atty. Roque).