Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque denies he owns the home in an unique subdivision in Tuba, Benguet which was raided by legislation authorities. Roque informed senators throughout the fifth public listening to of the Committee on Girls, Youngsters, Household Relations, and Gender Equality on July 29, 2024, that he stayed in the home after his stint within the authorities however the residence in query is registered to a company. Bureau of Immigration intelligence division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. mentioned they arrested a Cambodian and a Chinese language girl linked to the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator hub in Bamban, Tarlac throughout the Benguet raid. (Senate Public Relations and Data Bureau)
MANILA, Philippines — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque could also be cited for contempt once more for seemingly difficult the authority of the Home of Representatives’ quad-committee, Santa Rosa Metropolis Rep. Dan Fernandez mentioned on Monday.
In a digital listening to, Fernandez mentioned quad-committee members might focus on Roque’s criticisms of the Marcos administration and the Home for detaining him for a day.
“Nicely really that’s contemptible and may one of many members of the committee sort out that challenge, nobody can forestall her or him from discussing it on the quad-comm on the following listening to on Wednesday,” Fernandez mentioned.
“When he questioned our proper to quote useful resource individuals for contempt, that’s contemptible. That’s why, nicely, it’s a problem that we have now to debate if ever any individual will elevate it on the ground on Wednesday. However as I’ve mentioned, for me, no person paid consideration to him, proper? As a result of individuals know that we’re not doing this due to politics,” he added.
Fernandez additionally mentioned he’s already accustomed to Roque’s tirades, supposedly having seen a aspect of the lawyer exhibiting good conduct when contained in the Home premises, and a important character as soon as he’s outdoors.
“I feel perhaps one of many members will sort out that as a result of a number of the lawmakers might have been harm, however for me, I’ve grown accustomed to it. I took it as two individuals that we’re coping with: one Harry Roque on the surface and one other Harry Roque on the within,” he added.
Roque was cited for contempt throughout the quad-committee listening to final Thursday, as he supposedly lied in regards to the motive why he skipped the earlier dialogue. He mentioned in a letter to the panel that he was scheduled to attend a courtroom listening to in Manila final August 16, however courtroom data confirmed that the listening to was held on August 15.
He was detained for a day within the Home. He criticized the quad-panel after leaving the Home premises on Friday evening.
READ: Harry Roque cited for contempt after mendacity about absence in Home probe
“They mentioned I disrespected the Congress. To those that watched the hearings, did I try this? I’ve had 34 years of legislation apply, however I have no idea of a courtroom that issued arrest orders as a result of they didn’t attend hearings. Why is it that in Congress, I missed one in every of 4 hearings, however they detained me?” Roque requested.
“The reply is as a result of they actually wish to stifle the free speech of the administration’s critics. They wish to silence individuals who advocate the pursuits of the Filipino individuals,” he added.
Presumably treasonous and seditious
For Manila sixth District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., Roque’s statements are presumably treasonous and seditious as he referred to as for a gathering on the Edsa shrine to finally topple the federal government.
“It is perhaps as a result of he’s calling for a unique factor now, he’s now calling for a… for me it may also be treasonous. As a result of he’s now calling for Folks Energy to topple down the current administration. I don’t suppose that’s proper,” Abante mentioned.
“I imply, it’s one factor to have the ability to rally towards the federal government, it’s one other factor to say, allow us to come collectively so we might have the ability to topple this authorities. To me … that’s seditious,” he added.
Whereas Roque didn’t advocate for violent means, he referred to as on political events to assemble on the Edsa shrine each Friday with the objective of kicking out President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration if it will not change.
“Earlier than, we had been right here in Edsa to take away a Marcos. We’re once more right here, even when we’re nonetheless small in numbers, allow us to not neglect that even the largest hearth begins from small sparks,” Roque mentioned.
“So to Filipinos, each Friday till this motion gathers numbers, till we fill your entire Edsa, let’s meet right here each Friday … We as soon as eliminated a Marcos from energy, and we celebrated that. And that’s the message that anytime now, the individuals will choose to take away Marcos Jr. if the federal government doesn’t change,” he added.
Roque has been invited to the Home quad-committee hearings attributable to his doable involvement with Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo), notably the raided Pogo hub in Porac, Pampanga.
Through the raid final June 4, financial institution paperwork of Roque and his former government assistant Alberto Rodulfo “AR” De La Serna had been present in Fortunate South 99 Pogo hub in Porac.
READ: Roque’s financial institution paperwork present in raided Pampanga Pogo – PAOCC
It was additionally revealed that Roque accompanied Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, an incorporator of Whirlwind Company which leased the land in Porac to Fortunate South 99, to the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Company (Pagcor).
Pagcor chief Al Tengco mentioned Roque was lawyering for the Pogo agency, however Roque denied this, saying he solely requested a rescheduling of the arrears cost of a lessee and principal of his shopper Whirlwind Company.
READ: Harry Roque denies being authorized counsel for raided Pogo hub
Ong reportedly holds a 58 % stake at Whirlwind Company. She was arrested in Indonesia final Wednesday, together with Shiela Guo, sister of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.
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READ: Home to take custody of Pogo land lessor Cassandra Ong
