By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Despite the absence of the former male pageant contestant who was reportedly the “executive assistant” of ex-presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, the Quad Committee of the House of Representatives on Friday still issued a show cause order to Alberto Rodulfo “AR” Dela Serna, along with several individuals who were linked to the dubious Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
During a hearing held at Bacolor Mini Convention Center in Bacolor, Pampanga, Dela Serna was among those who failed to appear at the Quad Comm’s second public hearing on its ongoing investigation into the links between POGOs, the illegal drug trade, and the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) associated with the Duterte administration’s “war on drugs.”
Roque was also absent from the hearing, citing a scheduled appearance at the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) as his reason.
Last July 6, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) operatives raided the POGO hub at the Lucky South 99 compound in Porac, Pampanga.
They recovered De La Serna’s appointment papers dated Oct. 5, 2021, as Executive Assistant III under what used to be Roque’s office as the spokesperson of then President Duterte.
Also recovered from the POGO hub was an affidavit of support from Roque himself that he will take full responsibility for all the financial support that his assistant will be requiring for the duration of a trip to Poland, Ukraine, and Italy in October 2023.
The Quad Comm subsequently directed the House Secretariat to verify Roque’s claim by coordinating with the RTC and if found he was not present at the court hearing, a show cause order would also be issued against him.
ia/mnm
