House leaders now consider Roque a ‘fugitive’

Lawyer Harry Roque, a former spokesperson and staunch defender of the Duterte administration, is now officially on the run from his former colleagues in the House of Representatives.

Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel said in a television interview that the House Sergeant-at-Arms and the Philippine National Police have not served a detention order on Roque, whose whereabouts have been unknown since Friday.

“He has been in hiding since Friday, we already consider him a fugitive,” Pimentel told ANC on Monday.

Roque assured Monday that he was not a fugitive. “I have not violated any law. I am a fugitive only in the eyes of Congress and that does not interest me… My freedom is important to me. I will not give up my freedom as I did before. I will wait for a decision from the Supreme Court,” he said.

The MP stressed that “this is just an investigation. No complaints have been filed yet. If he has nothing to hide, why doesn’t he want to appear before our committee?”

Roque’s wife, Mylah Roque, a former board member of the Home Development Fund (Pag-Ibig), also ignored a subpoena from the lower house.

“It is very likely that at the next hearing we will already request an order to show cause to Ms. Myla Roque to explain why she does not want to appear before our committee,” Pimentel added.

Last week, the House Quad Committee cited the former presidential spokesman for contempt of court for refusing to submit copies of his business records, tax returns and statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), which it said were not relevant to the legislative investigation.

The Quad Comm recently uncovered evidence indicating that Roque represents Lucky South 99, an illegal business owned by Philippine Overseas Gaming Operator (POGO) in Porac, Pampanga.

He denied the accusations and accused the congressmen of political persecution.

Over the weekend, even before lawmakers officially declared him a “fugitive,” the Quad Comm had already requested the PNP’s help in locating the missing Roque.

Earlier, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs and head-designate of the Quad Comm, called the evidence against Roque “overwhelming.”

“Mr. Roque has been evasive and his actions suggest he is unwilling to be held accountable,” Barbers said.

For his part, Santa Rosa City Representative Dan Fernandez, co-chair of the House Quad Committee, said the House is “coordinating closely” with the National Capital Region Police Office and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to ensure Roque’s capture.

“This kind of challenge cannot be taken lightly, as it underlines the seriousness of the allegations against him. We will pursue this case through all legal means available until justice is served,” he added.