Former Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque Appears at Senate Hearing over POGOs
HARRY ROQUE – The former Presidential Spokesman was scolded during the Senate hearing for ‘disrespecting’ Senator Risa Hontiveros.
The Senate investigation over the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operations in the Philippines continues. Recently, a hearing was held amid the pending arrest of suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo who is also linked to the illegal POGO operations in her town.
During the recent Senate hearing, one of those who attended the inquiry was former presidential spokesman Harry Roque. He was linked to the illegal POGO operations in Porac, Pampanga after a letter of him was found in the raided hub.
PAGCOR chief Alejandro Tengco said that Roque was the chief counsel of the raided Lucky South 99 based on their organization chart. Roque denied that he was a legal counsel of the raided POGO hub in Porac. Previously, Roque even claimed that he will expose the protectors of POGO in the country.
During the July 29 Senate hearing over the illegal POGO operations in the country, many were surprised when former Presidential spokesman Harry Roque appeared at the Senate inquiry because of his prior letter of absence. He sent a letter to the upper chamber explaining that he cannot attend the hearing because of a court proceeding of a case where he served as a legal counsel.
At the hearing, Roque denied his alleged involvement in the raided POGO hub. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, he was raising his voice at times and he accused Senator Risa Hontiveros of “insuating” his alleged connection to the raided hub. The Senator requested him to stop using the term “insuating”.
Based on the report, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque claimed that the document presented by Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Pagcor listing him as the legal officer does not prove his ties to the raided POGO hub. He also lectured the senators to which earned a reaction from the chairperson.
Sen. Hontiveros told Roque that he does not have to lecture them about the rules of the Senate. She was speaking and the former presidential Spokesman was interrrupting.
“I’m sorry madam, but I am a resource person invited here… I thought we were engaged in the search for the truth,” Roque said.
Based on the report, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian intervened and reminded Atty. Harry Roque to respect Sen. Risa Hontiveros who is the chairperson of the committee. He warned that he might cite him for contempt which can lead to his arrest and detetion in the Senate.
Roque reacted and said that he is being very respectful to Sen. Hontiveros. The Senator did not see the behavior of the former presidential Spokesman as being respectful.
“Paanong respectful eh nagsasalita siya sinasabayan mo sya… One more and I will cite you in contempt,” Sen. Gatchalian said.
Roque apologized. He stressed that he did not lawyer for the Lucky South 99. Previously, Roque admitted he has met suspended Mayor Alice Guo who is also accused of POGO involvement.