Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque has refuted claims that he is a fugitive as the House of Representatives continues its efforts to detain him after citing him for contempt. Roque spent 24 hours in detention previously and has since stated he will not allow himself to be detained again.
“I am not a fugitive. As an ordinary person, I am just exercising my right,” Roque said in a Facebook Live on Monday, September 16, emphasizing that he is protected under the Bill of Rights. The arrest warrant stems from his failure to submit documents requested by the House quad committee, which is investigating alleged ties between his assets and Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO).
Roque expressed his intention to await a Supreme Court decision on his legal motion questioning the arrest warrant’s validity. “If the Supreme Court rules to provide the documents, I will comply, but I will wait for their decision,” he added, while also urging the public to hold the quad committee in contempt.
Roque denied having any unexplained wealth, addressing accusations linked to the POGO probe. “They want to charge me for unexplained wealth, but my family was able to send me to the United States, London, and the University of the Philippines,” he said.
Meanwhile, the quad committee, co-chaired by Representatives Dan Fernandez and Robert Ace Barbers, has condemned Roque’s non-compliance, branding him a fugitive for evading the panel’s requests. Barbers highlighted Roque’s refusal to cooperate as further raising suspicions of his involvement in illegal POGO activities.
Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel warned that if Roque fails to attend the next committee hearing scheduled for Thursday, September 19, the panel may request a hold departure order from the Bureau of Immigration. Pimentel also suggested that Roque’s wife, Myla, may face a show cause order for her non-appearance at the hearings, as her signature is linked to a lease contract involved in the investigation.
Philippine National Police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo confirmed that Roque’s arrest warrant has been circulated to law enforcement agencies. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has already searched two of Roque’s Metro Manila addresses without success. “This means that anyone with a copy of the order can arrest Attorney Harry Roque on-site if he is found,” Fajardo said.
The committee’s investigation continues as they pursue further evidence related to Roque’s alleged connections to the POGO industry.