Barbers: Harry Roque's wife told us about Singapore checkup

Mylah Roque, wife of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, informed congressmen about her checkup in Singapore amid her arrest order from the House of Representatives' QuadComm, panel co-chair and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said on Wednesday.

Barbers, who also chairs the House dangerous drugs panel, said Mylah sent the joint committee members a letter about her departure.

"Well, I cannot judge kung bakit siya umalis kasi siguro talagang mayroon siyang letter kasi sa amin na sinasabi niya na nagpacheck-up yata siya sa Singapore and mula noon ay hindi na bumalik," Barbers said in a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

(Well, I cannot judge why she left, maybe because she has a letter for us saying that she went for a check-up in Singapore and she has not returned since then.)

"I hope nothing serious is happening to her, kasi sa ganu'n katagal, we don't know, we just hope and pray na walang serious medical issue," he added.

(I hope nothing serious is happening to her, because it has been that long. We don't know, we just hope and pray that there is no serious medical issue.)

Barbers said other lawmakers would insist on having Mylah personally attend and answer questions in the hearings, even if documents have been already submitted.

"'Yong sinasabi na sinubmit ko na lahat ng dokumento, etcetera. Yes, we do appreciate that, of course. But, the documents will not be able to answer the questions that will be asked. So, I think the members would insist na siya ay mag-attend at sumagot ng questions," he added.

(It has been said that all the documents have been submitted etcetera. Yes, we do appreciate that, of course. But, the documents will not be able to answer the questions that will be asked. So, I think the members would insist that she attend and answer questions.)

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday reported that Mylah left the Philippines on Sept. 3.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) was issued against Mylah on Sept. 16.

An ILBO instructs immigration officers to alert authorities should subjects attempt to leave the country.

The QuadComm cited Mylah in contempt and ordered her arrest for repeatedly ignoring its invitation to attend the investigation on crimes related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

Her husband Harry Roque was also cited in contempt and ordered detained by the joint committee on Sept. 13 after he refused to submit documents that would supposedly justify his increased wealth.

Authorities have yet to locate the couple. — VDV, GMA Integrated News