The House of Representatives has issued an arrest order for former presidential spokesman Harry Roque after he was cited in contempt by the House Quad committee on Thursday. House Secretary General Reginald Velasco confirmed that he signed the arrest order on behalf of Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The arrest order was delivered to Roque’s law office located at 1105 Antel Corporation Centre, 121 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City. However, the staff at Roque’s office refused to receive the order. Velasco stated that as of 9 a.m. yesterday, elements of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) were stationed at the office, awaiting Roque’s arrival to carry out the arrest.
“Attorney Roque was not present at his office, and the staff were unable to provide any information about his whereabouts,” Velasco said, adding that efforts to locate Roque have so far been unsuccessful.
The contempt charge marks Roque’s second citation for his failure to submit documents subpoenaed by the House committee, which are related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Roque had previously committed to submitting these documents during the panel’s hearings.
The committee is currently investigating Roque’s alleged involvement in Lucky South 99, a POGO hub located in Porac, Pampanga. Among the subpoenaed documents are Roque’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth, papers connected to his family business Biancham, a subsidiary in Benguet called PH2, and a deed of sale for a 1.8-hectare property in Parañaque.
In an online interview, Surigao del Norte Representative and committee co-chair Robert Ace Barbers mentioned that there is “overwhelming circumstantial evidence” implicating Roque in the POGO hub’s operations.
When asked about Roque’s recent comments dismissing the quad committee as a “kangaroo court” and his refusal to attend future hearings, Barbers said Roque had initially offered to submit the documents for scrutiny. “The issue with Mr. Harry Roque is that he makes a lot of statements outside of the committee. He should justify his refusal to submit the documents in the proper forum, not through social media,” Barbers said. He also called for Roque to engage in debate within the committee rather than making public statements.
As of now, Roque’s whereabouts remain unknown, and the NCRPO continues its efforts to serve the arrest order.