Harry Roque files petition for writ of amparo before SC

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday asked the Supreme Court (SC) for a writ of amparo against his arrest in the wake of an order from the four committees investigating alleged illegal activities in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

In a 66-page petition, Roque represented by his daughter Bianca Hacintha Roque asked the SC to issue a writ of amparo prohibiting his arrest and a temporary order to prohibit the House of Representatives Quad Committee (QuadCom) from enforcing the arrest order against him.

Roque’s camp also asked the court to issue a writ of certiorari and a writ of prohibition to prevent the QuadCom from requiring Roque to produce any additional document or to attend any future hearing.

The petition for a writ of amparo is a remedy available to anyone whose right to life, liberty, and security is violated or threatened.

“Atty. Roque has the right against self-incrimination… and yet the respondent QuadCom is requiring him to submit certain documents and to answer a great number of questions, with the purpose of linking him with IGLs or POGOs,” the petition read.

“In other words, the respondent QuadCom is requiring the aggrieved party to submit evidence of his alleged involvement with IGLs or POGOs, which can be used to incriminate him for illegal activities that those IGLs or POGOs are being accused of,” it added.

This came after the House cited Roque in contempt and ordered his detention after he refused to submit documents that would supposedly justify his increased wealth.

The respondent is the Quad Committee, which is investigating crimes involving POGOs in the country.

Rpque argued that while Congress had the power to conduct legislative inquiry, it should not be used in an “abusive and oppressive manner.”

“The Petitioner respectfully submits that the actions of the respondents were committed with grave abuse of discretion, in exercising their legislative powers in an abusive manner, and in usurping the investigative powers reserved for the executive branch and the adjudicative powers reserved for the judicial branch of government,” the petition read.

Last week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it received information on the possible location of Roque amid orders for his arrest.

PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil previously said special tracker teams have been mobilized to search for Roque. —NB, GMA Integrated News