Harry Roque’s plea for writ of amparo junked by SC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s petition for a writ of amparo against his arrest in the wake of an order from four House committees investigating alleged illegal activities in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

“The court denied Roque’s prayer for a writ of amparo. It held that amparo is not the proper remedy against congressional contempt and detention orders,” SC spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting said in a press conference.

“The scope of amparo is limited to extrajudicial hearings and enforced disappearances, or threats thereof, which are not present in this case,” she added.

In his petition, 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 (QuadComm) from enforcing the arrest order against him.

GMA News Online has sought comment from Roque but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

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

For its part, the SC required the QuadComm to comment on the petition.

GNO also sought comment from Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Ace Barbers but has yet to receive a response.

Barbers is the lead chairperson of the QuadComm, which is looking into crimes involving POGOs in the country and the deaths being linked to the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

Roque’s petition came after he was cited in contempt and ordered his detention after he refused to submit documents that would supposedly justify his increased wealth.

In September, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it received information on the possible location of Roque. PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil earlier said special tracker teams have been mobilized to search for Roque. —VAL, GMA Integrated News