Barbers to Roque: Why cry foul over House inquiry after defending it during de Lima probe?

What changed?

House dangerous drugs panel chairperson Robert Ace Barbers, the lead chair of the four House panels probing crimes linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), asked this question to former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who has accused the House investigation of being a kangaroo court.

Barbers said that Roque, as a member of the House during President Rodrigo Duterte’s term, supported and actively participated in the House inquiry into the alleged links of then-senator Leila de Lima to the drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison during de Lima’s term as Justice Secretary.

“He's...conflicting himself from his previous stand on the same issue. This is the same issue then: congressional inquiry event in aid of legislation. Senator de Lima issued a statement calling the congressional committee a kangaroo court, and he [Roque] was mad,” Barbers told reporters.

“He even made a manifestation in a hearing, saying that we should call the attention of our colleagues from the Senate because they are calling this [House] committee a kangaroo court. Now, where is he coming from when he said that his [House inquiry on POGO-linked crimes] is a kangaroo court? Saan siya galing diyan?” Barbers added.

(Where is he coming from now?)

De Lima was later charged on three counts of drug-related charges in 2017 and was detained for seven years.

During his tenure as presidential spokesperson for Duterte, Roque also said he wished that de Lima would spend the rest of her life in jail.

“Ganun ang sinabi mo kay Leila de Lima noon eh. You were the judge, the jury, the spectator,” Barbers said.

In November 2023, de Lima was released by the court on bail. Since then, she has been cleared in all the three drug cases against her.

The four House committees headed by Barbers, on the other hand, have cited Roque in contempt, ordered his 30-day detention in Batasang Pambansa and issuing an arrest order against him for failure to submit documents to support the increase in the value of his assets.

In closing, Barbers said Roque should instead submit the documents being asked of him by lawmakers and face the probe so he could explain the clear links of his assets to the POGO firm Lucky South 99 which was raided by authorities amid apparent involvement in torture, scam hubs and trafficking of persons.

“There is overwhelming circumstantial evidence that proves that Attorney Harry Roque, through his company, Biancham, is involved in Lucky South 99. Who owns the house where the Chinese fugitive was found? He said PH2 [Corporation]. Who owns PH2? Fifty-two percent of PH2 is owned by Biancham Corporation. Who is Biancham, PH2? These are owned by the Roque family," Barbers said, referring to the Roque's family corporation, Biancham Holdings and Trading. 

“Why is it that the Chinese fugitive, who is an IT expert for Lucky South 99, was found on his property? Isn’t that circumstantial evidence?” Barbers added.

Barbers also said that a raid on a Porac, Pampanga POGO hub also revealed a document from the room rented by Roque’s former executive assistant, AR dela Serna, listing Roque as “legal” personality of Lucky South 99.

“Again, isn’t that circumstantial evidence. We are just asking for documents that will prove that he is not really involved in these [POGOs linked to crimes],” Barbers added.

Roque has denied his involvement in illegal POGO operations.

GMA News Online has sought comment from Roque and will publish it as soon as it becomes available. — BM, GMA Integrated News