House panel holds Harry Roque in contempt over POGO investigation
A House committee investigating the rise of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) cited former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in contempt on Thursday, August 22, for allegedly misleading the panel about his schedule. The committee had summoned Roque to appear on August 16, but he requested to be excused, citing a court hearing in Manila on the same day.
Kabayan Representative Ron Salo, who initiated the contempt motion, revealed that the court clerk confirmed Roque had no scheduled appearance on August 16. Salo accused Roque of lying to the committee, describing it as a “contemptible” act.
Roque claimed the error was an “honest mistake,” explaining he mistakenly thought the hearing was on August 15, a Thursday. He apologized for the confusion, stating that he realized the correct date too late.
Roque has frequently been involved as a resource person in the investigation due to his connections to a POGO firm in Pampanga, although he has denied any wrongdoing and maintained that he was never the legal counsel for the company in question.