Harry Roque cited in contempt, to be detained for 24 hours

Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque will be detained for 24 hours at the House of Representatives after he was cited in contempt by the four House committees investigating POGO-related crimes and the war on drugs.

The joint panel cited Roque in contempt after Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo pointed out that the former spokesman lied about the reason for skipping the hearing on Aug. 16.

Roque is a former representative of the Kabayan party-list.

Salo presented the committee with a copy of a certification from the Manila Regional Trial Court that Roque had no hearing on Aug. 16 and did not appear in the courts of Manila on said date.

“Clearly, Attorney Harry Roque, our former Secretary, and my former professor, law professor, lied to this committee," Salo said.

"And that amounts actually to disrespect on the members of the committee, which is contemptible under Section 11E of the Rules of the House of Representatives on inquiries in aid to legislation," he added.

Surigao del Norte lawmaker Ace Barbers, the chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said court records indicated that the hearing Roque was referring to in explaining his absence was on Aug. 15.

“It was an honest mistake. I have been here every Thursdays and in the regular course of business, we don’t have hearings on Friday," Roque said.

"When I saw the notice of hearing, I really thought it was also a Thursday just like the first two hearings I attended,” he added.

“There was no intent to disrespect this chamber. I apologize. I accept the consequences since I was given the opportunity since I was given opportunity to be heard, although there should be allowance for honest mistakes,” Roque said.

Since Northern Samar lawmaker Paul Daza was the lone member who disagreed, the committee carried Salo’s motion to cite Roque in contempt.

“The motion of Congressman Ron Salo is now approved,” Barbers said after an hour of discussion on whether or not Roque should be held in contempt.

As a result of the contempt order, Roque will be detained in the Batasang Pambansa Complex for 24 hours in consideration of him being a former member of the House and his apology over his actions.

Roque is facing scrutiny over his supposed engagement as a lawyer for Lucky South Star 99 POGO firm, where the belongings of his former staff in Malacañang were seized during a raid by authorities in Porac, Pampanga. 

He has denied that he has served as counsel of Lucky South 99, saying he only provided counsel concerning securing POGO licenses for Cassandra Ong who represented Whirlwind firm, not Lucky South 99. 

Roque tried to appeal the contempt order by citing his right to liberty, but Barbers said it will be resolved during the next day of hearing. —NB, GMA Integrated News