MANILA, Philippines – May karapatan si dating Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque na maghain ng legal remedies sa korte subalit kailangan muna nyang maaresto at harapin ang kaso sa House of Representatives, ayon kay Surigao del Norte Rep Robert Ace Barbers.
Ang pahayag ay ginawa ni Barbers bilang reaksyon sa pahayag ni Roque na hindi ito tatalima sa arrest order na ipinalabas ng Kamara bagkus maghahain ito ng petition for habeas corpus at petition for certiorari sa Korte Suprema.
“As far as Mr. Roque is concerned, he is considered a fugitive from justice by defying the Quadcom’s order to place him under detention. We welcome whatever legal challenge he may opt to file against Quadcom,” pahayag ni Barbers.
“However, habeas corpus is a legal action or writ by means of which detainees can seek relief from unlawful imprisonment. This means Mr. Roque can only file such petition once he is arrested and detained,” paliwanag pa ni Barbers.
Si Roque ay dalawang beses nang pinatawan ng contempt charges ng Quad Committee ng Kamara dahil na rin sa pagtanggi nito na makipagtulungan sa isinasagawang House Inquiry.
“Mr. Roque can run but he cannot hide from the law. Once arrested and he files his petitions or legal remedy before the Supreme Court, the Quadcom will respect and abide with whatever decision the High Court would dish out,” dagdag pa ng solon.
Si Roque ay isinasangkot sa Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) controversy.
Ilan sa mga dokumento na hinihingi ng QuadCom kay Roque ay ang kanyang Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth(SALN) matapos na rin lumitaw na mayroon itong family firm at subsidiary sa Benguet na tinatawagan na PH2, ang deed of sale para sa 1.8-hectare lupa sa Parañaque City.
Kinukuwestiyon din ang pagtaas ng kanyang asset mula P125,000 noong 2016 at naging P125 million noong 2018.
Inatasan na ang Philippine National Police (PNP) na hulihin si Roque. Gail Mendoza
