FORMER presidential spokesperson Harry Roque himself is fueling public doubt about the growth of his wealth because of his continued evasion instead of facing the Quad Committee to clear his name.
This is the opinion of Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the lead chair of the committee investigating the connection between illegal drug trade, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO), and Extra-Judicial Killings (EJK).
“If he believes he is innocent, he should welcome the opportunity to clear his name in a proper legal forum. Trying to escape through technicalities only raises more suspicions,” Barbers stated.
Roque is being investigated by the Quad Comm because he personally accompanied the executive of Lucky South 99, the POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga, during a raid by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) at the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).
As a result, Roque’s wealth was scrutinized after the committee discovered that from the P125,000 capital of his family’s Biancham Corporation in 2014, it ballooned to P125 million in 2028.
Roque promised to submit all his financial statements to prove that his wealth did not come from illegal sources, but he failed to do so, leading to a citation for contempt and an arrest warrant issued against him.
Roque ran to the Supreme Court to seek a protection order, but it was countered, prompting Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez to challenge him to surrender and face the investigation.
“Surrender, Atty. Roque,” Fernandez challenged, adding, “This is not the time for excuses. Atty. Roque should face the music and answer the allegations in the proper forum. The law should prevail. Roque should not hide behind technicalities or baseless writs.”
Currently, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is reportedly following leads on Roque’s whereabouts.
