MANILA — Surigao Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Saturday lashed out at former Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque for accusing lawmakers of “ruining” his family after a congressional investigation questioned his joint bank account with one of his male aides.

Roque earlier asked why the House Quad Committee had to quiz his aide, former Mr. Supranational AR Dela Serna, about their relationship after the panel found that they opened a joint bank account containing millions of pesos in deposits. 

“To whom he wants to have a joint account with, decision niya 'yan,” Barbers said in a news forum. 

Harry Roque aarestuhin ng Kamara dahil sa contempt 

 “Hindi naman kami yung gumawa nung joint account ninyo tapos ngayon sasabihin kami ang nang-wasak sa pamilya mo,” said the lawmaker, who is also the lead chairperson of the House Quad Committee.

 “Hindi po kami ang sumira, tanungin mo ang sarili mo,” he added. 

Myla Roque, the former spokesperson’s wife, will also been summoned to House investigations, Barbers said, noting that she was also listed as an incorporator of a firm that worked closely with Lucky South 99, an illegal gambling hub in Pampanga. 

A Chinese fugitive, alleged to be a “finance guy” involved with illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations, was arrested inside Roque’s house in Benguet. 

“Siguro dapat magpaliwanag sila. Hindi naman sila inaakusahan,” the Surigao representative said. 

Harry Roque cited in contempt anew by House quad comm 

 “Gusto lang natin marinig yung kanilang panig because there were accusations hurled at them,” he said.

 Roque cannot assert his right to privacy in a congressional investigation, Barbers said, citing a previous Supreme Court decision “that says that the right of the public to access information takes precedence” in the hierarchy of rights. 

“Any witness who feels that their rights are being trampled upon, puwede silang sumangguni sa amin,” the lawmaker said. 

“Puwede naman po nilang sagutin kami na, ‘I invoke my right against self-incrimination,” he said. 

The House has cited Roque in contempt for refusing to submit documents relevant to the inquiry in aid of legislation. The House tried to the arrest order in Roque’s office, but the former spokesperson said that he has yet to receive any arrest order.