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Headlines
"I am not fugitive", Roque
By Nidz Godino
"I know that there are so many but as an ordinary person, I have my protection called Bill of Rights under Constitution," now object of police manhunt, former Duterte administration spokesman Harry Roque Jr. scoffs at being called fugitive.
On Facebook Live, Roque declared: "I am not fugitive…as ordinary person, I am just exercising my right… I know lawmakers are powerful."
House quad committee has standing order for Roque's arrest over his failure to submit documents related to his assets, lawmakers say may be connected to criminal activities of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO).
Roque would await decision of Supreme Court on his motion questioning legality of warrant of arrest issued by quad committee.
"If Supreme Court rules to provide documents, I will comply but I will wait for decision of high tribunal and if I was cited in contempt of Congress, I will accept that because I am urging Filipino people to issue contempt of the people against quad committee and this Congress," Roque said.
He insisted he has no unexplained wealth as alleged by members of quad panel.
"They want to charge me for unexplained wealth, excuse me, my family was able to send me in United States, in London and then at the University of the Philippines, this could not be considered as unexplained wealth," Roque stressed.
Roque said he will not allow himself to again be detained at House of Representatives where he spent 24 hours in detention after being cited in contempt.
"My freedom is very important to me… I will no longer surrender my freedom just like what happened when I surrendered it for one day," he added.
"I am availing of judicial review against order issued in grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of jurisdiction," Roque, meanwhile, said in a text message.
Panel co-chair and Sta. Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez condemned Roque's evasive actions, underscoring that his blatant disregard for House's authority is direct challenge to the institution.
Another committee co-chair, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, said Roque's refusal to cooperate only deepens suspicions regarding his involvement in illegal activities in some POGO hubs.
Committee has urged public to provide any information on Roque's whereabouts to aid law enforcement.
Quad committee member Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said Roque may be prevented from leaving the country if he fails to show up on Thursday at the hearing of panel.
Pimentel said quad committee may ask Bureau of Immigration (BI) to issue hold departure against Roque if latter again skips next hearing sixth on the issue and evades "order of detention" issued by panel.
"So I strongly suggest to Mr. Harry Roque, for him to appear, we will have another hearing this coming Thursday so that he could shed light on different questions that arise from his involvement in POGO, more specifically in Lucky South 99," Pimentel said.
Panel branded Roque as "fugitive" for failing to fulfill his commitment to submit some documents related to POGO operations.
Last week, House's Sergeant-at-Arms served order to his law office in Salcedo Village, Makati but went away empty handed.
Pimentel said committee secretariat has not received any "pertinent documents" from Roque.
He also revealed committee also considers issuing "show cause order" to Roque's wife Myla, who also snubbed invitation to appear before committee.
"She has not appeared so most probably or highly likely during next hearing, we will already move for show cause order to Mrs. Myla Roque, why she does not want to appear in our committee," Pimentel added.
He explained Myla Roque's participation in the probe is crucial because her signature is on lease contract for house in Tuba, Benguet where two Chinese nationals linked to POGO were arrested.
House is "owned by corporation, and that corporation is owned by corporation wherein Harry Roque is majority stakeholder, so in effect it is Harry Roque who owns house actually," Pimentel said.
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