In a viral video circulating on social media platform X, Congressman Bienvenido Abante called for the detention of Atty. Harry Roque at the Women’s Correctional Facility during a recent House hearing. The remark has quickly garnered attention, sparking widespread online discussions.
Former presidential spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque was cited in contempt by the House Quad Committee for the second time on Thursday, September 12, 2024, after failing to submit crucial financial documents requested by the committee. As a result, House leaders approved a motion to detain Roque until he either provides the necessary documents or the joint committee is dissolved.
The controversy stems from the fourth public hearing held on September 4, where lawmakers issued a show cause order to Roque for his repeated absences. The show cause order is a legal mechanism compelling Roque to appear before the committee. His absence from the hearings and refusal to submit documents led to heightened tensions between Roque and the committee members.
The documents requested by the committee include various financial records and legal documents related to Roque’s business dealings and personal affairs. Among them are his wife Mylah Roque’s medical records, documents related to the sale of a 1.8-hectare property in Multinational Village, Parañaque, tax filings, and statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) from 2016 to 2022.
Additionally, the committee is investigating Roque’s alleged involvement with real estate company Whirlwind Corp., which was linked to the illegal operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). One of the key witnesses, Cassandra Li Ong, allegedly hired Roque as legal counsel to process the renewal of licenses for Lucky South 99, a POGO operator.
Roque had been previously cited in contempt on August 22, 2024, after it was discovered that he had falsely claimed to be attending a Manila Regional Trial Court hearing as an excuse for his absence from the public inquiry.
JUST INday Badiday:
— AltIndayBadiday (@AltIndayBadiday) September 12, 2024
Congressman Abante: “I move that Atty. Harry Roque be detained at the Women's Correctional…”
Tawang-tawa ako!!!
😂🤣🤪 pic.twitter.com/9KUSDPUk2h
In response to the allegations, Roque released a statement on Thursday, asserting that the documents subpoenaed by the committee are unrelated to POGOs. He expressed his preference to address the quad committee’s complaints in court rather than in the hearings, stating that he would not appear before the committee until the legal issues were resolved by the highest court.