Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian Warns Ex-Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque during Senate Hearing
HARRY ROQUE – The former presidential Spokesperson intervening Senator Risa Hontiveros while she was speaking at the Senate hearing earned warning from Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.
Another inquiry over the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operation was recently-held in the Senate. The upper chamber invited former presidential spokesperson Roque to attend the hearing.
Roque was linked to the illegal POGO operations after a letter of him was found in the raided Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chief Alejandro Tengco said that he served as the legal counsel of the raided POGO hub.
The former presidential Spokesperson denied the allegation. He also expressed gladness on the invitation of the Senate for him to appear during the July 29 hearing.
Prior to the July 29 inquiry, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque claimed that he will reveal the protectors of POGO on the Senate hearing. However, amid the public awaiting the revelation of the former Spokesman, he sent a letter to the Senate explaining that he will not be able to attend the hearing.
In his letter, Roque explained that he has to attend to a court order of a case where he serves as the legal counsel. He attached a copy of the court order to prove the reason behind his absence from the hearing.
Due to the letter for absence, Atty. Harry Roque’s attendance to the recent Senate inquiry surprised a lot of people. At the Senate hearing, he stood firm in denying the allegations that link him to the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operations in the country.
Roque said he has never served as the legal counsel of the raided Lucky South 99 in Poracm Pampanga. However, during the Senate hearing, the former presidential Spokesman was scolded and warned by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian scolded former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque after he interrupted Senate committee chairperson Risa Hontiveros. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Roque lectured the senators on the rules of the Senate thus.
Sen. Hontiveros told him that he does not have to tell the committee about the rules of the Senate. While she was saying, he was also speaking.
“I’m sorry madam, but I am a resource person invited here… I thought we were engaged in the search for the truth,” the former presidential Spokesperson said.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian intervened and warned former presidential Spokesman Harry Roque. Based on the report, he reminded Roque to respect Sen. Risa Hontiveros who is the chairperson of the committee. The former presidential Spokesperson said that he is being very respectful.
“Panong respectful eh nagsasalita siya sinasabayan mo sya… One more and I will cite you in contempt,” Sen. Gatchalian told Roque.
The former presidential Spokesman apologized. The Senator warned him that he will cite him for contempt if he will do it again. Being cited for contempt may lead to a person’s arrest and detention in the Senate.