By Junex Doronio
MANILA – The House Quad Committee has warned Mylah Roque, wife of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, that she faces possible arrest if she continues to ignore the panel’s summons.
The committee is investigating the connections between Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), illegal drug trade, and extra-judicial killings (EJKs) during the Duterte administration.
Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop, vice-chairman of the House Quad Committee, stated that a show cause order was issued last week after Mrs. Roque failed to attend the previous hearing. Roque had cited medical treatment in Singapore as the reason for her absence.
“If the House Quad Committee schedules a hearing and she fails to appear despite the invitation, we will issue an order to cite her in contempt,” Acop said.
Previously, Mrs. Roque, a former Pag-IBIG Fund trustee, accused Quad Committee chairman Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers of being “abusive” for linking her to Lucky South, despite her insistence that no document proves her involvement.
Barbers refuted her claims, explaining that Mrs. Roque is being called to clarify her role in signing a lease agreement with Chinese nationals linked to the POGO complex in Bamban, Tarlac.
“Your husband Harry’s refusal to submit the promised documents to the Quad Committee has only raised more questions about his wealth, which reportedly jumped from P125,000 in 2016 to P125 million in 2018,” Barbers remarked.
Acop also confirmed that the committee is seeking Mrs. Roque’s medical records to verify her health condition.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has warned that anyone found harboring former presidential spokesman Harry Roque will face charges of obstruction of justice.
“If anyone is found to be shielding Roque, we will pursue charges of obstruction of justice if we can prove it,” said Lt. Col. Imelda Reyes, spokesperson for the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Reyes also mentioned that the CIDG is following leads in their manhunt for Roque, who has been in hiding since being cited for contempt by the House of Representatives.
The House Quad Committee has cited Roque for contempt again and ordered his detention for failing to submit documents subpoenaed by the joint panel investigating his potential links to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA – House Secretary General Reginald Velasco confirmed on Friday (13 Sept 2024) that the lower chamber of Congress has issued an arrest order for former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
Roque, who served as the spokesperson for former President Rodrigo Duterte, was cited in contempt and ordered detained by the House Quad Committee on Thursday, September 12, 2024, for refusing to submit documents meant to justify his increased wealth.
“Yes, [we have] served [it] at his law firm’s office,” Velasco stated.
Batangas Representative Gerville “Jinky” Luistro highlighted earlier that Roque must explain how his assets grew from P125,000 before 2016 to P125 million by 2018, or two years after.
“If Roque cannot prove the legal and valid source of his family-owned Biancham’s sudden increase in assets, there is reasonable ground to believe he may be connected to POGO operations, and this money possibly came from POGO activities,” Luistro remarked.
While Roque has strongly denied involvement in illegal POGO operations, he admitted to providing legal counsel to Whirlwind Corporation, the owner of the land where a POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga was raided by authorities who also allegedly uncovered criminal activities such as torture and scam hubs.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The House Quad Committee on Thursday (12 Sept 2024) cited former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in contempt for the second time after he refused to submit documents related to his properties and Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
“I move that we hold Harry Roque in contempt for refusing to submit the documents subject to this subpoena, which he had previously indicated he would provide,” Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores said during the resumption of the House Quad Committee’s public hearing.
The committee is investigating, in aid of legislation, the connections between the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and illegal drugs, as well as extra-judicial killings (EJKs) during the previous Duterte administration.
With no objections, Quad Committee chair Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers granted the motion.
Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante humorously suggested that Roque be detained in the Women’s Correctional, but later admitted he misspoke as he suppressed laughter.
Flores then moved to detain Roque at the House detention facility until he complies with the committee’s requirements. Roque was notably absent from the Thursday hearing.
Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro raised concerns about Roque’s sudden increase in assets.
“There is a question regarding the source of funds for Biancham Corporation, which is owned by Atty. Harry Roque. If he cannot prove the legal and valid source of this sudden increase in assets, there is reasonable ground to believe he is connected with POGO operations, and the money may have come from those activities,” Luistro remarked.
This marks the second time Roque has been cited in contempt by the House Quad Committee.
The first instance occurred on August 22 when he was found to have lied about his whereabouts.
Roque had claimed he was attending a court hearing in Manila on August 16, preventing him from attending the House investigation.
He was detained for one day in the air-conditioned House detention facility.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The House Quad Committee has denied a motion by former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to quash a subpoena requiring him to submit key documents, including business records, tax returns, and Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs).
Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro moved to deny Roque’s request, which was swiftly approved by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, overall chair of the Quad Committee and head of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs.
Roque had previously promised to provide the joint panel with copies of these documents, which are critical to an investigation into his alleged ties to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Rep. Luistro highlighted the inconsistency between Roque’s limited government salary and the sudden increase in his assets, including shares in Biancham Holdings, a family-owned company, despite his denial of POGO involvement.
Luistro further argued that if Roque cannot account for his wealth, it could bolster suspicions of his connection to POGO activities. She emphasized that the probe could lead to legislative reforms, potentially revisiting laws such as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials, the Anti-Money Laundering Act, and even the Code of Professional Responsibility for Lawyers.
A visibly frustrated Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., chair of the Committee on Human Rights, also pushed for Roque to explain his absence at hearings on August 28 and September 4. He urged the Quad Committee to compel Roque’s attendance at the next session.
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By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has apparently forgotten an old song “It’s a sin to tell a lie” that earned him the ire of lawmakers investigating the connection between the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) involved in criminal activities with the illegal drugs and extra-judicial killings (EJKs) during the previous Duterte administration.
On Thursday (22 August 2024), the House Quad Committee cited Roque in contempt upon learning that the spokesperson of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte lied when he said a prior court commitment prevented him from attending a congressional inquiry on August 16.
“I hate to say this, but clearly, Attorney Harry Roque, a former secretary and my former professor, lied to this committee, and that amounts to disrespect on the members of the committee which is contemptible,” Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo said as he moved to cite Roque in contempt.
Salo had obtained from the clerk of court of the RTC of Manila a certification which stated that Roque had no scheduled court appearance on August 16.
Roque claimed it was an “honest mistake,” explaining he had asked to be excused because he thought that the Quad committee hearing was scheduled on August 15, a Thursday.
Unconvinced, lawmakers also voted to detain him within House premises for 24 hours as a penalty.
Meanwhile, House Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. said they were extending another invitation to Duterte “in the spirit of fairness … in light of these very serious and sensitive developments.”
The House leader was referring to the allegations of Leopoldo Tan and Fernando Magdadaro, two convicts serving life sentences, who told the panel members they stabbed to death Chinese nationals Chu Kin Tung, Li Lang Yang, and Wong Meng Pin, in exchange for P1 million “per head” and a shorter jail term.
Tan claimed that he overheard Superintendent Gerardo Padilla, the then officer-in-charge (OIC) of the facility, being “congratulated” by Duterte through a phone call.
“Habang naglalakad kami… tumunog ang cellphone ni Superintendent Padilla. Narinig ko na ang tumawag, [sinabing]: ‘Congrats, Superintendent Padilla, job well done. Pero grabe yung ginawa, dinuguan.’ Alam ko na ang kausap ni Superintendent Padilla ay si President Duterte dahil pamilyar ang boses niya,” Tan told the House Quad Committee.
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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.
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By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday (29 July 2024) attended the Senate hearing on the investigation on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
This is despite the letter he sent to the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality that he will not attend as he has a scheduled court hearing before the Regional Trial Court (RTC).
“I regret that I will not be able to participate in the scheduled Public Hearing/Inquiry as I have a previously scheduled court hearing before the Regional Trial Court of Manila,” the letter read.
“Attached herewith is a copy of the Amended Order dated 9 July 2024 setting the continuation of the cross-examination of the witness in the criminal case where I am the private prosecutor on 29 July 2024 at 9:30A.M.”
Roque denied that he was a lawyer of Lucky South 99 and said that his client was the Whirlwind Corporation.
Senate President Chiz Escudero earlier expressed hope that Roque will attend the hearing.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation chief Alejandro Tengco revealed on Wednesday (10 July 2024) that Atty. Harry Roque, former presidential spokesperson, assisted in the license application of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
During the hearing on illegal POGOs on Wednesday (10 July 2024), Tengco mentioned that Roque lobbied for the POGO hub Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga, which was earlier raided by the authorities.
The Pagcor official told the Senate panel that Roque asked if he could get an appointment with Pagcor.
“Noon pong ika-26 ng Hulyo 2023, nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na bumisita po sa aking tanggapan sa Pagcor…siya po ay nabigyan ng appointment at siya po ay dumating sa aking tanggapan,” he said.
Tengco said that Roque visited his office with Cassandra Lee Ong from Lucky South 99 and they asked to settle the license and unpaid arrears.
However, he clarified that Roque did not pressure him to grant his request, adding that Roque only facilitated Ong.
“Bilang abogado siguro, bilang kliyente niya. Nagfa-facilitate lang siya at nakikiusap lang siya,” he said.
Meanwhile, Roque issued a statement, saying that he was never a legal counsel of Lucky South 99.
“I am not and have never been a legal counsel to any illegal POGO. Neither was I counsel to Lucky South 99, Incorporated. I also did not participate in preparing Lucky South’s organizational chart, which identified me as their legal counsel,” Roque said in an official statement.
“As clearly stated by PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco in today’s Senate hearing, I requested a rescheduling of arrears payment of a lessee and principal of my client Whirlwind Corporation. My client is a service provider to Lucky South, then a holder of a valid license from PAGCOR,” he clarified.
(el Amigo/mnm)
MANILA — The families of Loraine Badoy and Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz, with legal representation from former Presidential spokesperson Attorney Harry Roque, formally lodged a plea on Monday (11 Dec 2023) before the Supreme Court. The petition seeks the release of two program hosts from SMNI.
Walter Partosa, standing in for Badoy, and Rogilda Canilao Celiz, representing Celiz, appealed to the court to grant a writ of preliminary mandatory injunction. The request stipulates the release of the two hosts on or before December 15, 2023. This appeal, presented in a comprehensive 57-page petition, seeks both certiorari and a writ of habeas corpus.
Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz found themselves in detention following a contempt citation by the House of Representatives last week.
(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The attempt to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte will only succeed if it gains the approval of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., so said former president Rodrigo Duterte’s apologist.
Drawing parallels, FPRRD’s spokesperson and human rights lawyer Harry Roque revealed on Sunday that the outspoken former Chief Executive rejected the plan to impeach his arch-critic, then Vice President Leni Robredo. Duterte believed that she did not pose a threat to his administration.
“Without the approval of the sitting president, any impeachment process not involving the chief executive is bound to fail,” stressed Roque.
Earlier, ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro, who sued Duterte for an alleged death threat, confirmed that there were discussions among congressmen to impeach VP Sara.
To recall, the House of Representatives felt insulted when Duterte called the lower chamber ‘the most rotten institution,’ even though he was once a member representing Davao City’s 1st District from June 30, 1998, to June 30, 2001.
The elder Duterte was furious that the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, stripped the P650-million confidential and Intelligence funds (CIF) for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) that VP Sara heads as the concurrent Secretary for 2024.
Instead, the congressmen decided to realign the CIF to the agencies tasked with safeguarding the country’s security and sovereignty.
In his November 18 column for The Philippine Star, Roque reminisced that there were “several” politicians allied with the then Digong administration who wanted to impeach Robredo.
“I recall the politicians presenting the impeachment case against Robredo to then-President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte gave the thumbs down right away. His response was: ‘What for? She does not pose a threat to the government. Most of our people would not believe her anyway,’” Roque revealed.
At that time, however, the Duterte administration was at the height of its popularity, in contrast to the present situation where VP Sara’s trust and performance ratings in recent surveys were noticeably declining, while Romualdez’s were steadily climbing.
VP Sara and Romualdez are seen as the main protagonists in the 2028 presidential race, five years from now.
(ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Tuesday that ex-president Rodrigo Duterte does not need to react on the court’s decision, allowing the Leila De Lima to post bail.
Roque, presidential spokesperson of Duterte before, said that the former president was not involved about drug case De Lima.
“Hindi pa po kasi sa mula’t mula, wala naman pong pakialam dito si Presidente Duterte, hindi po nagsampa ng kaso si Presidente Duterte, hindi po siya nag-utos na sampahan ng kaso si Leila de Lima. Sa totoo lang po, ang unang-unang lumabas na testigo ay sariling tao ni Leila de Lima na si dating deputy director ng NBI Ragos,” he said.
“Hindi naman na po kinakailangang magsalita ang dating Presidente Duterte dahil wala naman talaga siyang pakialam at wala po siyang kahit anong ginawa para umusad itong mga kaso ni Leila de Lima,” Roque furthered.
After completing the bail processes and undergoing a physical examination, the ex-senator was released from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday night.
De Lima said that she will be restoring her normal life “very soon” after the court granted her bail and walked out of six-year detention.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
FOR BLATANTLY DEFYING the marching order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to stop the reclamation activities in Manila Bay, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has revealed that they are still ongoing.
Maharlika NuMedia gathered that included in the 12 ongoing reclamation projects is the P34.3-billion reclamation project of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s father, William Gatchalian.
Roque — who served as the presidential mouthpiece during the term of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte — posted a video on Facebook showing large ships conducting reclamation activities in Manila Bay.
Roque’s caption on his Oct. 9 post read: “Tuloy pa rin ang reclamation sa Manila Bay. Akala ko tinigil?”
During the recent hearing of the Senate committee on natural resources and climate change on Manila Bay reclamation projects, some port operators expressed their strong opposition against the P34.3-billion reclamation project of William Gatchalian, saying “it will change the route of ships at Manila Bay.”
Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Director William Cuñado told the senators that it was former EMB Director Metodio Torbilla who issued the Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) to the Waterfront Manila Premier Development Inc. (MWPDI) of William Gatchalian and two other similar initiatives in the cities of Manila and Pasay.
Last August, the United States Embassy in Manila also “expressed concerns” over the reclamation projects in Manila Bay, citing their impact on the environment. (ai/mnm)
“We are also concerned that the projects have ties to the China Communications Construction Co., which has been added to the US Department of Commerce’s Entity List for its role in helping the Chinese military construct and militarize artificial islands in the South China Sea. The company has also been cited by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for engaging in fraudulent business practices,” US Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay said in a statement released to reporters on Tuesday, August 1, and again on Wednesday, August 2.
The US Embassy is located at the Manila Bay on Roxas Boulevard.
(ai/mnm)