Roque Breaks Silence, Denies Fleeing; Accuses Congress of Power Tripping

Former Presidential spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque re-emerged in the public eye through a 14-minute video shared on his social media account Monday night.

This follows accusations that he is evading law enforcement after being elusive for several days. The House Sergeant-at-Arms, in cooperation with the PNP, attempted to serve an arrest order at Roque’s law firm in Makati and two residences in Metro Manila.

The arrest warrant was issued by the Quad Committee on September 12 after Roque was cited in contempt for refusing to submit requested documents regarding the unexplained growth of his wealth, which has been linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities.

However, in his video, Roque firmly denied being a fugitive, asserting that he had not violated any laws. He also accused Congress of “power tripping” in response to the contempt citation and arrest order issued against him.

Roque further clarified that his wealth is not questionable, citing the sale of a family-owned 1.8-hectare property in Parañaque, once used as farmland, which has since been developed into a subdivision and commercial area.

He explained that the sale, which earned P216 million, was made to the Velarde group.

Earlier, Batangas Second District Rep. Gerville Luistro mentioned that the Quad Committee had gathered overwhelming circumstantial evidence linking Roque to the raided POGO company, Lucky South Corporation, in Porac, Pampanga.