ALBERTO Rodulfo “AR” Dela Serna once shared a fat, joint bank account with former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
This was learned during Wednesday’s quad-committee hearing, during which Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop asked probing questions about the peculiar financial setup between Dela Serna and Roque.
According to Dela Serna, the biggest one-time deposit to the joint bank account was P3 million. However, he clarified to the solons that the account is now closed.
“Magkano naman ang kino-contribute mo, o kinontribute mo initially doon sa joint account ninyo? Acop asked Dela Serna, to which the latter said “Wala po akong kino-contribute po doon.”
However, despite not contributing anything to the account, Dela Serna received the go-ahead from Roque to withdraw from it.
“Ganun? Nalalaman ko lang ‘yan nang nangyayari ‘yan sa mag-asawa, mag-ina, o mag-ama eh. Di po ba? Di ba joint account? Ano sa tingin mo, hijo?” Acop asked.
“Hindi ko naman po pinapakialaman yung pera po ni Atty. Roque,” Dela Serna replied.
Another lawmaker, Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing, was similarly intrigued and asked Dela Serna: “Bakit kayo pumapayag sa mga request ni Atty. Harry Roque?”
“Siguro naman po…hindi po ako ipapahamak ni Atty. Roque po,” the aviation student told Suansing.
When Acop insisted on knowing why Dela Serna would agree to a joint bank account with Roque, he said he was simply following “Sir Harry’s” orders.
“Inutusan lang po ako, Mr. Chair, sumunod lang naman po ako.”
“Pag sasabihin ba niyang lumundag ka sa bangin, lulundag ka?” countered Acop. “Hindi naman po siguro Mr. chair,” Dela Serna said.
Dela Serna also said he and Roque went on at least six trips together in 2023. At that time, Roque was apparently no longer employing Dela Serna.
In prior years, he said he worked as the lawyer’s “alalay” or helper. He said his “basic pay” was P20,000.
“Parang alalay po ako, Mr. chair, all-around alalay po ako. Kung ano po ‘yung i-utos ni Sir Harry, gagawin ko rin po,” Dela Serna said
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