Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers on Saturday refuted a statement made by Harry Roque’s wife on Facebook where she called the lawmaker “an abusive individual.’
“I would like to vehemently deny Mrs. Mylah Roque’s claim that I am an abusive individual who abuses my immunity from libel during the Quadcom hearings,” said Barbers, the lead chair of the four House panels conducting the hearing on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).
Barbers made the statement after Mrs. Roque claimed that “he abuses his immunity from libel with a claim that I am an incorporator of Lucky South even when there is no single document linking me to it,”
The lawmaker, however, said that her name “cropped up in the hearings because she was the one who signed the lease agreement to a wanted Chinese IT expert who is in hiding” after a raid in a POGO hub in Pampanga.
Barbers pointed out that the Biancham Holdings and Trading, Inc., which is owned by the Roque family, had leased their property to fugitive Cambodian Sun Liming and his Chinese partner, Wang Keping, who were both allegedly engaged in financial scams victimizing investors in China.
This, as he noted how he has acted as a “rudder” for the Quadcom.
“I was the one who acts as the “rudder” of the team, very calmly leading House leaders and panel members in toning down some unnecessary remarks or comments as the probe goes on,” Barbers explained.
Medical treatment
Roque’s wife had been issued a show cause order for failing to show up in the inquiry.
In her Facebook post, she maintained that the Quadcom “refused to accept her medical certificates.”
“I flew to Singapore for treatment but his malicious interpretation proves why his panel never accepted any of my medical certificates, not just from my long-time doctor but even hospital records,” said Mrs. Roque.
However, Barbers said that what she submitted were “mere results from a certain Diagnostic Laboratory and did not clearly indicate details on the health issues she is facing.”
He also denied seeking the medical records, and said they were asked by Public Order and Safety chair Abang Lingkod Representative Joseph Stephen Paduano, and Antipolo City Representative Romeo Acop.
Roque’s wife also maintained her “right to travel.”
“And I traveled because I have a right to travel as guaranteed by the constitution.
And Cong. Barbers, you are not somebody who can declare my family ‘wasak.’ Check your mirror,” she said.
‘Wasak’
Barbers, however, denied declaring her family as “wasak” or broken.
“As to her claim that I declared her family as ‘wazak,’, I think I would be the last person to say that. Mr. Roque’s close executive assistant, AR dela Serna’s disclosure and admission during the hearings that they are maintaining a ‘joint bank account’ worth P3 million could have adversely affected or damaged his reputation,” he said.
Barbers referred back to his previous answer to Harry Roque, who claimed that Quadcom is destroying his family, where the lawmaker stated: “Huwag kami ang sisihin nya, tanungin nya ang sarili niya.”
(Roque should not blame us; he should rather ask himself.)
“Your husband Harry’s continued refusal to submit the vital documents he promised to provide the Quadcom only increased the lawmakers’ curiosity on the sudden increase of his wealth, from P125,000 in 2016, to P125 million in 2018,” Barbers said.
“If you and Mr. Roque really have nothing to hide, particularly his alleged links to illegal POGO, then you should both attend the Quadcom hearings, be transparent and open all your cards,” he continued.
Contempt
Harry was cited in contempt and ordered detained by the QuadComm last September 13 after he refused to submit documents that would supposedly justify his increased wealth.
Roque’s staff refused to receive the arrest warrant served by House authorities against him last September 13.
On September 16, Harry accused Congress of “power tripping” following contempt and arrest orders issued against him due to his alleged connection to POGO.
—VAL, GMA Integrated News
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