QuadComm cites Harry Roque's wife in contempt, orders her arrest

The House Quad Committee (QuadComm) on Friday cited in contempt and ordered the arrest of Mylah Roque, wife of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, for repeatedly ignoring its invitation to attend the investigation on crimes related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

“May I respectfully move that because Madam Mylah Roque has been cited in contempt by this committee, may I move that we also move to issue an arrest order,” said Antipolo Representative Romeo Acop.

It was Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Joseph Stephen Paduano who moved to cite Mylah Roque in contempt.

“Since we have given Ms. Roque the due process with regards to this, supposedly her presence, in the hearing, I move to cite in contempt Ms. Roque,” he said.

QuadComm lead chairperson and Surigao del Norte Representative Ace Barbers noted that Mylah Roque had failed to attend the hearing three times.

The QuadComm previously issued a subpoena to Mylah, but the committee secretary said it did not receive any letter or reply from her.

The committee has earlier issued a show cause order against Mylah Roque. 

In a Facebook post in late September, Mylah said she flew to Singapore for treatment but the QuadComm refused to accept her medical certificates. She also called out Barbers for being “an abusive individual” for linking her to illegal POGOs. 

Harry Roque was cited in contempt and ordered detained by the quad committee last September 13 after he refused to submit documents that would supposedly justify his increased wealth.

Mylah maintained that she has been complying with the documentary requirements. 

“Contrary to the quad committee officials’ claim that I have “failed to appear” before their august body, I have actually been regularly complying with their documentary requirements,” she said in a statement. 

“Every time I submit a medical document, the good officials always, without fail, ask for something else and something new—to the point that the information they require is already very intrusive and violates my right to privacy.” 

“I understand now that there is nothing I could submit that they would have found sufficient. They simply refuse to evaluate the documents on their own merit,” she added. “I pray that the Supreme Court will see this for what it truly is.”

GMA News Online has also reached out to Harry for his comment but he has yet to receive a response as of posting time. —With Vince Ferreras/KBK, GMA Integrated News