Harry Roque attends Senate probe on raided POGOs

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday attended the Senate investigation into the recently-raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hubs in Luzon.

Roque attended the investigation even though he sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality last week informing the senators that he could not  attend the hearing due to a previously scheduled court hearing.

"I regret that I will not be able to participate in the scheduled Public Hearing/Inquiry as I have a previously scheduled court hearing before the Regional Trial Court of Manila," Roque said in his letter dated July 26.

Roque attached a copy of the amended order from the court for the continuation of a cross-examination of a witness in a criminal case where he serves as a private prosecutor.

Roque was invited to the Senate inquiry after Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation chairman Alejandro Tengco said in a previous hearing that the former Palace official had helped Lucky South 99, the recently-raided POGO firm in Porac, Pampanga, reapply for a license and settle their arrears.

Roque, who served during the Duterte administration, was no longer a public official when the meeting happened.

In a previous press statement, Roque had said he is not and never been a legal counsel of any illegal POGO and was also not a counsel of Lucky South 99.

But Tengco insisted that Roque was named as legal head in the organization chart that was submitted by Lucky South 99 to PAGCOR for the reapplication of their license.

Speaking to US-based supporters of the Duterte family last week, Roque said he would unmask protectors of POGOs when he attends this week's Senate hearing.

"I'm going to unveil a fact on the 29th of July at the hall of Senate," Roque had said during an event in Woodside, Queens.

According to Roque, the public needs to know who truly holds power over POGO in the Philippines. —KBK, GMA Integrated News