THE quad committee of the House of Representatives on Friday issued show cause orders against several individuals, including Alberto Rodulfo “AR” Dela Serna, the “executive assistant” of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, during a hearing held in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Dela Serna was among those who failed to appear at Friday’s crucial hearing, as part of the ongoing investigation into the links between Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), the illegal drug trade and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) associated with the Duterte administration’s “war on drugs.”
Roque, a key figure in the POGO controversy, was absent from the hearing, citing a scheduled appearance at the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) as his reason.
The quad committee subsequently directed the Secretariat to verify his claim by coordinating with the RTC. If Roque was not present at the court hearing, a show cause order will also be issued against him.
Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts, moved for the issuance of the show cause orders.
The motion was approved by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who chairs the Committee on Dangerous Drugs and serves as the lead chairman of the quad committee.
When Roque’s name became entangled in the government’s crackdown on POGO hubs operated by Chinese high-rollers, Dela Serna — a former male pageant contestant who represented the Philippines in the 2016 Mister Supranational competition in Poland — also came under public scrutiny.
The absence of key figures, including Dela Serna, alarmed committee members, leading to the issuance of show cause orders to compel their attendance and cooperation in the ongoing investigation.
The individuals who were ordered to explain their absence include several prominent figures.
Acting Mayor Eraño Timbang and various department heads from Bamban, Tarlac, as well as officials from Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc., such as Thelma B. Laranan and Yu Zheng Can, were among those who were summoned.
The incorporators of Baofu Land Corporation, including dismissed Bamban Alice Leal Guo and Bernard Chua, were also named in the show cause orders.
Key figures from Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc. and Lucky South 99 Corp., including president Julian M. Linsangan III, along with incorporators of Whirlwind Corp., such as Josefina B. Mascarenas and Duanren Wu, were also required to explain their absence.
Furthermore, the incorporators of Biancham Holdings and Trading Inc., including Roque and his associates, were called to account.
Lawyer Gerald Y. Medina of the Medina, Flores Ofrin Law Office and Ruperto Cruz, the owner of the controversial property in Bamban, were also issued show cause orders. Danny C. Corral, president and CEO of First Bataan Mariveles Holdings Corp., was included in the list.
Dela Serna’s connection to Roque was exposed when the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) raided the Lucky South 99 compound in Porac, a known POGO hub.
During the raid, Dela Serna’s appointment papers as Executive Assistant III under Roque’s office, dated Oct. 5, 2021, were found, along with an affidavit from Roque taking full responsibility for Dela Serna’s financial needs during a trip to Poland, Ukraine and Italy in October 2023.
These discoveries have raised questions about the nature of their relationship and the legitimacy of their travels.
The hearing in Pampanga, which aimed to examine the links between POGOs, illegal drug trade, and EJKs highlighted the roles of individuals and corporations allegedly involved in these activities.
The quad committee, composed of the Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts, has been tasked with getting to the bottom of the complex and deeply entrenched criminal activities linked to POGOs, including the illegal drug trade, and the EJKs associated with the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Its findings could have far-reaching implications, not only for the individuals directly involved but also for the broader efforts to combat corruption and crime in the country.
The quad committee is determined to hold accountable anyone who contributed, directly or indirectly, to the criminal activities that have thrived in a climate of impunity.
