THE House Quad Committee on Wednesday rejected a motion by former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to quash a subpoena requiring him to submit various documents, including business records, tax returns and Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs).
Roque had initially promised to provide the joint panel with copies of the documents, which are considered crucial to the investigation into his alleged ties to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
However, he later filed a motion to quash the subpoena, arguing that the documents were irrelevant to the legislative investigation, violated his and his family's right to privacy, and infringed on his right to remain silent and protection against self-incrimination.
Roque also failed to attend the last two hearings of the Quad Committee, prompting the panel to issue a show-cause order against him.
On the motion of Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., chair of the committee on human rights, the Quad Committee ordered Roque to explain his absence during the hearings on Aug. 28 and Sept. 4, and compelled him to attend the next session.
Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro moved to deny Roque’s motion to quash, which was immediately approved by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, designated overall chair of the Quad Committee and head of the committee on dangerous drugs.
Luistro underscored the relevance of the requested documents, citing “overwhelming circumstantial evidence” of Roque’s connection to Lucky South 99, an illegal POGO firm in Porac, Pampanga.
She noted Roque’s denial of ties to POGOs and underscored the discrepancy between his limited income as a government official and the sudden surge in his assets, including his shares in Biancham Holdings, a family-owned company.
Luistro argued that if Roque is unable to explain the sources of his wealth, it could strengthen the evidence of his involvement in POGO operations.
She added that the investigation could lead to legislative changes, potentially revisiting laws such as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, Anti-Money Laundering Act, Corporation Law, and even the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability for Lawyers.
The committee has requested several documents from Roque, including the deed of sale for land in Multinational Village, Parañaque; documents on the transfer of Biancham shareholdings; the extra-judicial settlement of his aunt’s estate; SALNs from 2016 to 2022; and his 2018 income tax return.
During a previous hearing, Luistro questioned Roque’s business activities and financial records, pointing to significant inconsistencies between his declared assets and those of Biancham Holdings.
Roque’s assets reportedly surged during the POGO boom under the Duterte administration, which raised further suspicions.
Roque attributed the increase in assets to proceeds from the sale of a family property in Parañaque, but lawmakers expressed skepticism.
He also denied being the lawyer for Lucky South 99, stating his client was Whirlwind, a POGO service provider. However, documents presented to the committee suggested he had dealings with both companies.
Roque has faced further scrutiny after a raid on his Benguet property led to the arrest of two Chinese nationals linked to an illegal POGO operation. He has admitted having an interest in Biancham subsidiary PH2, which owns the raided property.
In a separate instance, PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco revealed that Roque had lobbied on behalf of Lucky South 99 regarding unpaid arrears, casting doubt on Roque’s claims of non-involvement in POGOs.
In the same hearing, Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop raised the issue of Roque maintaining a joint bank account with his former aide, AR Dela Serna.
Acop said he was personally intrigued regarding the peculiar financial setup between Dela Serna and Roque.
According to Dela Serna, the biggest one-time deposit to the joint bank account was P3 million. However, he clarified to the solons that the account is now closed.
"Magkano naman ang kino-contribute mo, o kinontribute mo initially doon sa joint account ninyo? Acop asked Dela Serna, to which the latter said "Wala po akong kino-contribute po doon."
However, despite not contributing anything to the account, Dela Serna received the go-ahead from Roque to withdraw from it.
"Ganun? Nalalaman ko lang ‘yan nang nangyayari ‘yan sa mag-asawa, mag-ina, o mag-ama eh. Di po ba? Di ba joint account? Ano sa tingin mo, hijo?" Acop asked.
"Hindi ko naman po pinapakialaman yung pera po ni Atty. Roque," Dela Serna replied.
Another lawmaker, Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing, was similarly intrigued and asked Dela Serna: "Bakit kayo pumapayag sa mga request ni Atty. Harry Roque?"
"Siguro naman po...hindi po ako ipapahamak ni Atty. Roque po," the aviation student told Suansing.
When Acop insisted on knowing why Dela Serna would agree to a joint bank account with Roque, he said he was simply following "Sir Harry's" orders.
"Inutusan lang po ako, Mr. Chair, sumunod lang naman po ako."
"Pag sasabihin ba niyang lumundag ka sa bangin, lulundag ka?" countered Acop. "Hindi naman po siguro Mr. chair," Dela Serna said.
Dela Serna also said he and Roque went on at least six trips together in 2023. At that time, Roque was apparently no longer employing Dela Serna.
In prior years, he said he worked as the lawyer's "alalay" or helper. He said his "basic pay" was P20,000.
"Parang alalay po ako, Mr. chair, all-around alalay po ako. Kung ano po ‘yung i-utos ni Sir Harry, gagawin ko rin po," Dela Serna said.
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