THE House Quad Committee on Thursday once again cited former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in contempt and ordered his detention, this time for failing to submit documents subpoenaed by the joint panel investigating his potential links to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
The joint committee, chaired by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, ordered that Roque be detained at a facility inside the House of Representatives until he submits the required documents or until the investigation is concluded.
Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores moved to cite Roque in contempt and order his detention, invoking Section 11(d) of the House Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation, which addresses refusal to comply with a subpoena and failure to submit required documents.
The committee unanimously approved the motion.
Acting on a motion by Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro, the quad committee also denied Roque’s new plea to quash the subpoena requiring him to submit various documents, including business records, tax returns, and Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), which he had previously committed to providing during the Aug. 22 hearing.
This is the second time the quad committee has penalized Roque. During the Aug. 22 hearing, he was cited in contempt for lying about his absence from the Aug. 16 session in Bacolor, Pampanga. At that time, he received only a 24-hour detention along with a stern warning that any future "contemptible" behavior would lead to much harsher penalties.
Having missed the last three hearings, Roque was likewise issued a subpoena compelling him to appear and testify before the committee at its next scheduled hearing.
The committee and Luistro consider the documents being required from Roque as crucial to its investigation into his alleged ties to illegal POGOs.
“It is the humble submission of this representation that the quad committee has established overwhelming circumstantial evidence showing the connection of Atty. Harry Roque to Lucky South 99, which is a POGO operation,” Luistro said during Thursday’s hearing.
Lucky South 99 is an illegal POGO firm in Porac, Pampanga, raided last June, where authorities uncovered evidence of human trafficking, torture, scam farms, prostitution, a porn hub and various other illegal activities.
Roque denied any involvement with POGOs, but Luistro pointed out the stark contrast between his modest government salary and the sudden surge in his assets, including shares in Biancham Holdings, a family-owned company.
Luistro argued that Roque's inability to explain the sources of his wealth would further bolster the evidence of his potential involvement in POGO operations.
She also noted that the investigation could pave the way for legislative reforms, possibly revisiting laws such as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Corporation Law, and even the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability for Lawyers.
The committee has requested several documents from Roque, including the deed of sale for land in Multinational Village, Parañaque; documents on the transfer of Biancham shareholdings; the extra-judicial settlement of his aunt’s estate; SALNs from 2016 to 2022; and his 2018 income tax return.
During one of the previous hearings, Luistro questioned Roque’s business activities and financial records, pointing to significant inconsistencies between his declared assets and those of Biancham Holdings.
Roque’s assets reportedly surged during the POGO boom under the administration of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, which raised further suspicions.
He claimed the increase in his assets came from selling a family property in Parañaque City, but lawmakers remained skeptical.
Roque also denied being the lawyer for Lucky South 99, stating his client was Whirlwind, a POGO service provider. However, documents presented to the committee suggested he had dealings with both companies.
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