Roque's refusal to cooperate with POGO probe adds to suspicion: House leaders
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Roque's refusal to cooperate with POGO probe adds to suspicion: House leaders
ABS-CBN News
Published Sep 17, 2024 11:07 AM PHT
MANILA — House leaders on Tuesday kept up pressure on former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to cooperate with panels holding hearings on illegal activities at Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, saying his refusal makes him look guilty.
MANILA — House leaders on Tuesday kept up pressure on former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to cooperate with panels holding hearings on illegal activities at Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, saying his refusal makes him look guilty.
Roque, subject of an arrest order for contempt, has yet to be found by the Philippine National Police and personnel of the House Sergeant-at-Arms tasked with serving the warrant against him.
Roque, subject of an arrest order for contempt, has yet to be found by the Philippine National Police and personnel of the House Sergeant-at-Arms tasked with serving the warrant against him.
"If Mr. Roque had nothing to hide, he would face the committee and submit the necessary documents. His refusal to comply only raises suspicions among lawmakers," Sta. Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez said.
"If Mr. Roque had nothing to hide, he would face the committee and submit the necessary documents. His refusal to comply only raises suspicions among lawmakers," Sta. Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez said.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission has said that Roque's "footprint is everywhere" in Lucky South 99, a POGO hub that authorities raided earlier this year, but the former human rights lawyer has not been formally accused of any crime.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission has said that Roque's "footprint is everywhere" in Lucky South 99, a POGO hub that authorities raided earlier this year, but the former human rights lawyer has not been formally accused of any crime.
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Roque was cited for contempt last week for failing to submit documents the Quad Comm ordered him to submit.
Roque was cited for contempt last week for failing to submit documents the Quad Comm ordered him to submit.
He argued that business records, tax returns, and other documents requested were not relevant to the inquiry into POGOs he has alleged business links with.
He argued that business records, tax returns, and other documents requested were not relevant to the inquiry into POGOs he has alleged business links with.
It was the second contempt citation for the one-time member of the House who had previously been detained for failing to attend a hearing due to what he said was a scheduling mix-up.
It was the second contempt citation for the one-time member of the House who had previously been detained for failing to attend a hearing due to what he said was a scheduling mix-up.
"Refusing to submit subpoenaed documents and avoiding the committee's summons only deepens the shadow of doubt hanging over him," Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said.
"Refusing to submit subpoenaed documents and avoiding the committee's summons only deepens the shadow of doubt hanging over him," Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said.
Barbers is the lead chair of the Quad Committee of panels looking into issues related to the Duterte administration, including POGOs and extrajudicial killings in the so-called war on drugs.
Barbers is the lead chair of the Quad Committee of panels looking into issues related to the Duterte administration, including POGOs and extrajudicial killings in the so-called war on drugs.
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Fernandez, chair of the Committee on Public Order and Safety, is part of the Quad Comm.
Fernandez, chair of the Committee on Public Order and Safety, is part of the Quad Comm.
ROQUE REFUSES TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTS
Roque, in a video posted on Facebook on Monday rejected the label of fugitive, stressing he has not been charged in court.
Roque, in a video posted on Facebook on Monday rejected the label of fugitive, stressing he has not been charged in court.
"Ang kaso ko lang po ay dahil nga po ayaw kong ibigay ‘yung mga dokumento na wala namang kinalaman sa imbestigasyon ng POGO," he said.
"Ang kaso ko lang po ay dahil nga po ayaw kong ibigay ‘yung mga dokumento na wala namang kinalaman sa imbestigasyon ng POGO," he said.
(The only problem is that I refuse to turn over documents that have nothing to do with the POGO investigation)
(The only problem is that I refuse to turn over documents that have nothing to do with the POGO investigation)
He said he would only submit them if the Supreme Court tells him to.
He said he would only submit them if the Supreme Court tells him to.
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Congress has limited contempt powers when holding hearings in the exercise of its oversight function on the executive or in aid of legislation.
Congress has limited contempt powers when holding hearings in the exercise of its oversight function on the executive or in aid of legislation.
"Nagpa-power tripping na po sila, maski wala silang batas na binubuo, tuloy-tuloy ang paninira nila sa pamilya Duterte, doon sa extrajudicial killings, sa droga at doon sa POGO. Hindi po tama ‘yan," Roque also said.
"Nagpa-power tripping na po sila, maski wala silang batas na binubuo, tuloy-tuloy ang paninira nila sa pamilya Duterte, doon sa extrajudicial killings, sa droga at doon sa POGO. Hindi po tama ‘yan," Roque also said.
(They are on a power trip. They are not crafting laws and are using extrajudicial killings, drugs and POGOs to vilify the Dutertes. That's not right)
(They are on a power trip. They are not crafting laws and are using extrajudicial killings, drugs and POGOs to vilify the Dutertes. That's not right)
'DEFIANCE FUELS SUSPICION'
Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., chair of the House human rights committee and a member of the Quad Comm, said in a separate statement that "[Roque's] defiance only fuels suspicion that he is trying to conceal evidence that can incriminate him."
Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., chair of the House human rights committee and a member of the Quad Comm, said in a separate statement that "[Roque's] defiance only fuels suspicion that he is trying to conceal evidence that can incriminate him."
Abante said that if all of the documents that the Quad Comm wants Roque to submit are in order, then he should not hesitate to turn them over.
Abante said that if all of the documents that the Quad Comm wants Roque to submit are in order, then he should not hesitate to turn them over.
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"Instead of cooperating, he has chosen to evade, delay, and now openly defy the lawful orders of Congress," Abante said. — Jonathan de Santos, ABS-CBN News
"Instead of cooperating, he has chosen to evade, delay, and now openly defy the lawful orders of Congress," Abante said. — Jonathan de Santos, ABS-CBN News
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