A recently raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Porac, Pampanga, has named former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque as its legal representative, a claim Roque denies. Documents obtained by Rappler from the Lucky South 99 POGO, which has been accused of trafficking and torturing workers, list Roque among its officials.
Roque told Rappler on June 16 that he had “no idea why” he was listed and was “not aware of that chart.” He clarified that his only involvement was with Whirlwind Corporation, a real estate firm leasing the Thai Royal Court compound in Porac to Lucky South 99.
Roque said he began working with Whirlwind in October 2023, following the company’s loss in an ejectment case at the regional trial court. He stated his counsel to Whirlwind is ongoing as they pursue an appeal to annul the lower court judgments, potentially escalating to the Supreme Court if necessary.
Roque explained that he was retained by Whirlwind through Katherine Cassandra Ong, who is also listed as an authorized representative of Lucky South 99. Despite this connection, Roque insisted, “I have no engagement with Lucky [South 99] other than it is a lessee of Whirlwind.”
When questioned about any potential overlap between Whirlwind and Lucky South’s interests, Roque referred to the ongoing Court of Appeals case involving Whirlwind.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) discovered another document in the raided compound bearing Roque’s marks. This document, dated October 2023, was a sponsorship letter for a visa application of a former Palace staff member, which Roque said was for attending a peace process event in Kiev, Ukraine.
Roque suggested that the staff member may have once lived in the commercial complex, which includes restaurants and karaoke bars, and could have left the document there.
Roque maintains his stance, stating that his connections to Lucky South 99 are solely through his legal work with Whirlwind Corporation.