MANILA (UPDATED) - Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque cried foul after being detained by Congress for "lying" in a panel.

The House of Representatives earlier cited Harry Roque in contempt for supposedly lying regarding the reason for his absence in its August 16 hearing.

House panel cites Harry Roque in contempt for ‘lying'

"Dalawa lang ang dahilan kung bakit ako ikinulong:  Una, patahimikin ako bilang maingay na kritiko ng Administrasyon at tapat na ka-alyado ng mga Duterte, at pangalawa, pigilan ako sa pagtupad ng aking tungkulin bilang abogado ni dating Pangulong Duterte sa International Criminal Court," Roque said.

"I will not wish, even to my fiercest political opponents, to be deprived of their personal liberty and freedom," he added. Roque also called the act a "demolition job."

"This shows the desperation of the current Administration to pin me down.  But we will not bow down to political pressure," he added.

Roque was released from the House of Representatives detention facility before 7p.m. Friday.

He did not grant any interview.

Quadcom lead chair Rep. Ace Barbers justified the detention of Roque, saying the House quad committee wants to be fair in implementing its rules.

“Marami po tayong na contempt na hindi lamang nagsinungaling kundi nag violate ng rule. ‘Pag tayo ay hindi naging patas sa pagpataw ng penalty sa mga nagkakaroon ng violation dyan sa ating komite, ang ating committee ay hindi na po paniniwalaan at wala pong mag rerespeto kaya kami po ay nanindigan,” said Barbers. - With a report from Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News