MANILA — The House quad committee on Friday cited in contempt and ordered the arrest of Mylah Roque, the wife of former Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque, over her repeated failure to attend in its hearings.

The Roque couple had been summoned by panel to its ongoing probe into illegal operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), which the former Cabinet official was accused of having links to. 

Mrs. Roque was being asked to shed light on her role in signing a lease agreement with Chinese nationals linked to the Pogo complex in Bamban, Tarlac.

“We have given Ms. Roque due process with regards to her presence in the hearing, I move to cite in contempt Mrs. Roque,” House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson and ABANG LINGKOD party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano said.

Lawmakers did not raise any objection to the motion.    

Mr. Roque previously argued that business records, tax returns, and other documents requested were not relevant to the inquiry into POGOs he has alleged business links with. 

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He said the House inquiry was “a political inquisition against the Duterte family and me as their outspoken ally.” 

The former human rights lawyer said he decided “not to appear before the QuadCom until issues that I have ventilated have been brought to the Highest Court for judicial determination.”

“I reiterate:  What crime did I commit?  File the appropriate charges in the proper court of law. Haharapin po ang mga reklamo sa korte. Nakakalungkot lamang na maraming tao ang nadadamay,” Roque said.

“Anong kinalaman ng pribadong buhay ko sa usapin ng POGO? Hindi lamang nilalabag ng QuadCom hearing ang aking right to privacy, sinisira rin nito ang aking pamilya,” he added.