House issues arrest order, but can’t find Roque

MANILA, Philippines —  The arrest order for former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, who was cited in contempt by the House of Representatives’ quad committee on Thursday, is now out.

According to House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, he signed the arrest order on behalf of Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Velasco said the arrest order was delivered to Roque’s law office at 1105 Antel Corporation Centre, 121 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City.

“As of 9 a.m. (yesterday), the staff at his office refused to receive the arrest order. Elements of NCRPO are still at the place below waiting to effect the arrest,” he said, referring to the National Capital Region Police Office.

“Attorney Roque was not there and the people in the office could not say where he is. He could not be located,” Velasco added.

Roque was cited in contempt for the second time for failing to submit subpoenaed documents related to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) that he promised during the panel’s recent hearings.

He is being investigated by the committee for his alleged involvement in Lucky South 99, a POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.

The subpoenaed documents include Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth, documents related to his family firm Biancham, a subsidiary in Benguet called PH2, and a deed of sale of a 1.8-hectare Parañaque property.

In an online interview, committee co-chair and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said there is “overwhelming circumstantial evidence” linking Roque to the POGO hub.

Asked to comment on Roque’s pronouncement that he would no longer attend House hearings as he branded the quad committee as a “kangaroo court,” Barbers maintained it was Roque who offered that the documents are open to scrutiny.

“The difficult thing about Mr. Harry Roque is that he says a lot of things outside the quad com. Justify your refusal to submit the documents here. Don’t do that on social media. Let us debate here,” Barbers said.