FORMER presidential spokesperson Harry Roque may have fled the Philippines, but the House Quad Comm remains determined to hold him accountable.
With a contempt citation and an arrest order against him, Roque remains a wanted figure as lawmakers demand his return to face allegations linking him to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and other questionable activities.
“Marami pa siyang kailangang ipaliwanag sa bayan,” said Quad Comm Chair Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers during the committee’s 13th hearing on Thursday.
Despite mounting evidence against him, Roque and his wife, Mylah, left the country and are now reportedly staying in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The couple, cited for contempt and ordered arrested by the Quad Comm for refusing to attend hearings despite repeated subpoenas, appeared at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 29 to notarize a counter-affidavit for a human trafficking case.
The committee has uncovered evidence linking Roque to Lucky South 99, a controversial POGO based in Porac, Pampanga, reportedly tied to various illegal activities.
According to Barbers, Roque acted as the POGO’s legal counsel and participated in key meetings with Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman Alejandro Tengco and Cassandra Ong, a central figure in the operation.
“Si Atty. Harry Roque ang nagsilbing abogado ng Lucky South at iyan ay napatunayan sa kanyang pakikipag-pulong kay PAGCOR Chairman Al Tengco,” Barbers said.
Roque’s financial dealings have also raised suspicions.
Barbers noted how his declared assets surged from P125,000 in 2016 to P125 million by 2018, during the height of POGO operations under the Duterte administration.
Despite multiple demands, Roque has failed to provide documents to explain this dramatic increase in wealth. Instead, he questioned the Quad Comm’s jurisdiction and left the country.
Quad Comm Co-Chair Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez added more fuel to the controversy, revealing Roque’s links to Chinese fugitives operating from Pinewoods Village in Tuba, Benguet.
Fernandez explained that Roque and his wife own Biancham Holdings and Trading Corporation, which controls 99% of Pinewood Holdings Inc.—the company that owns the Benguet property.
“Mismong ang Chairman ng PAGCOR ang nagpatunay na sinamahan ni Atty. Roque si Cassandra Ong sa isang meeting upang talakayin ang lisensya ng PAGCOR at mga utang ng Lucky South 99,” Fernandez said.
The Benguet property was rented by two Chinese fugitives, Sun Liming and Wang Keping, who were later arrested, adding another layer of intrigue to Roque’s alleged connections.
Roque and his wife’s abrupt move to the UAE has only heightened concerns.
Lawmakers are now calling for an investigation into how the couple managed to leave the country despite ongoing inquiries and legal actions against them.
Meanwhile, Roque has denied any wrongdoing, claiming his involvement with PAGCOR was part of his legal work.
He has also criticized the Quad Comm’s proceedings, accusing it of overreach.
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