House cites Roque in contempt anew for failure to submit docs

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

Roque was cited in contempt during the Aug. 22 hearing for lying about his absence from the August 16 session in Porac, Pampanga. (PCOO file photo)

MANILA – The quad committee at the House of Representatives on Thursday cited former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in contempt anew for failing to submit the subpoenaed documents pertaining to his business and financial records.

During its joint hearing on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), the quad committee ordered Roque to be detained within the House premises until the required documents are submitted or until the investigation concludes.

The mega panel, chaired by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, unanimously approved Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores’ motion to cite Roque in contempt and detain him.

Flores invoked Section 11(d) of the House Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation, which penalizes non-compliance with subpoenas.

The subpoenaed documents include business records, tax returns, and Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), which are deemed crucial to the committee’s investigation into Roque’s alleged links to illegal POGOs.

Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said the stark contrast between Roque’s modest government salary and the sudden surge in his assets, including shares in Biancham Holdings, a family-owned company.

Luistro said Biancham’s assets reportedly surged during the POGO boom from PHP125,000 in 2016 to PHP125 million in 2018.

“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.

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.

Luistro said Roque’s inability to explain the sources of his wealth would bolster the evidence of his potential involvement in POGO operations.

“If he will not be able to prove the legal and valid source of this sudden increase of assets of Biancham, then there is reasonable ground to believe that, indeed, he is connected with POGO operation, and this money possibly came from the POGO operation,” she said.

She said 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.

Roque was cited in contempt during the Aug. 22 hearing for lying about his absence from the August 16 session in Porac, 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.