Former presidential spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque speaks during a forum at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay in Ermita, Manila on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO/Ryan Leagogo
MANILA, Philippines — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque should refrain from considering himself as a very important political figure that the government would want to censure, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Robert Ace Barbers said.
In an online interview on Monday morning, Barbers said that the House of Representatives quad-committee — which has been investigating issues related to Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo) hubs, the illegal drug trade, and alleged human rights violations — is not interested in stifling anyone’s free speech, as Roque claims.
However, Barbers added that if the government were truly intent on silencing political opposition, Roque would not be its target.
READ: Harry Roque cited for contempt after lying about absence in House probe
“Well, ako, ang masasabi ko lang, medyo parang siguro bawas-bawasan ni Atty. Harry Roque ‘yong paniwala na napaka-importanteng political figure niya para sikilin ‘yong kanyang freedom of expression,” Barbers said after being asked about Roque’s statements after finishing his one-day detention at the House.
(What I can say is maybe Atty. Harry Roque can minimize his belief that he is an extremely important political figure for his freedom of expression to be stifled.)
“‘Wag na sanang haluan ng politika dito. Wala hong politika dito dahil kung meron sisikilin na freedom of expression, eh ‘di sana hindi ikaw, ‘no, hindi ikaw, marami siguro d’yan,” he added.
(I hope they do not mix politics in this. There is no politics in this, because if there is somebody whose freedom of expression would be stifled, it’s not you (Roque), maybe some other person instead.)
READ: Roque’s bank documents found in raided Pampanga Pogo – PAOCC
Roque last Friday night posted a video of him near the EDSA Shrine, criticizing the government for allegedly silencing his critics after the House quad-committee ordered him detained for one day.
The lawyer was cited for contempt during the quad-committee hearing last Thursday, as he supposedly lied about the reason he skipped the previous hearing. Roque said in a letter to the panel that he was scheduled to attend a court hearing in Manila last August 16, but court records showed that the hearing was held a day before, or on August 15.
According to Barbers, they do not issue contempt orders on a whim, noting that they only cite resource persons for contempt if they lie or give wrong answers or documents.
“Wala hong ganon, hindi ho natin ini-entertain, at saka hindi po natin papayagan na ma-curtail ‘yong freedom of expression, freedom of speech ng kahit sino kasi ‘yan po ay labag sa ating Saligang Batas,” he said. “So kung ikaw ay naniniwala na napaka-importante mo, eh nasa sa iyo ‘yan.”
(That’s not true, we do not entertain (blocking free speech), and we do not want to curtail freedom of expression, and freedom of speech because this is against the Constitution. So if you think you are extremely important, that is on you.)
“The fact remains that sagutin niyo ‘yong mga tanong ng mga kongresista dito sa quad-comm, kasi napakahalaga no’ng hinahanap na mga dokumento, napakahalaga ng hinahanap na mga SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth), trust agreements, trust contracts, audited financial statements, these are necessary documents na para mapatunayan na ang perang allegedly na ginagamit ng iyong korporasyon ay hindi galing sa iligal na Pogo,” he added.
READ: Harry Roque denies being legal counsel for raided Pogo hub
(But the fact remains that if you answer the questions of lawmakers in the quad-comm, because the documents we are looking for are important, like SALNs, trust agreements, trust contracts, audited financial statements, these are necessary documents that are needed to prove that the money used by your corporation did not come from Pogos.)
Roque has been invited to the quad-committee hearings due to his alleged involvement in Pogos, particularly the Pogo hub in Porac, Pampanga. During the raid last June 4, bank documents of Roque and his former executive assistant Alberto Rodulfo “AR” De La Serna were found in Lucky South 99 Pogo hub in Porac.
It was later revealed that Roque accompanied Katherine Cassandra Li Ong—incorporator of Whirlwind Corporation, which leased land in Porac to Lucky South 99—to the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).
Pagcor chief Alejandro Tengco said Roque reached out to his office to request a rescheduling of the arrears payment for a lessee and principal of his client, Whirlwind Corporation.
Ong was arrested in Indonesia last Friday along with Shiela Guo, sister of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.
Ong reportedly holds a 58 percent stake at Whirlwind Corporation.