Barbers to Roque: Be man enough, face Quadcom and submit promised documents 

The House of Representatives’ designated Quad Committee chairman today assailed former Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque for opting to voice out his response in social media platforms instead of attending the panel hearings and engage in debate with lawmakers who are digging into his alleged links with POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) and the sudden increase in his assets’ worth. 

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, Quadcom leader and chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said Roque had been cited in contempt for the second time for his continued refusal submit copies of his Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), documents related to his family firm Biancham, a subsidiary in Benguet called PH2, and a deed of sale of a 1.8 hectare Paranaque property.

Roque, during the August 22 Quadcom hearings, promised to comply with the lawmakers’ request of producing vital documents which would prove that he has no legal illegal activities or interests tied to POGOs. 

But on same date, Roque was cited in contempt and detained for 24 hours at the Lower House detention facility as punishment for lying to lawmakers on the circumstances about his absence in the Quadcom hearing held on August 16 in Bacolor, Pampanga. 

The solon from Mindanao said Roque should be man enough to stand by his promise, that he would comply and submit the documents requested of him by the panel, instead of criticizing and dishing out his frustrations against the panel via the various social media platforms. 

“Na-contempt ng ikalawang beses si G. Harry Roque for non-compliance sa pangako nya na isa-submit ang mga nasabing dokumento. Pero umatras sya sa pangako niya. Ito ang dahilan ng kanyang second contempt. Hindi dahil sa ayaw ng Quadcom and sinasabi niya. Hindi nga sya uma-attend ng hearings e, paanong aayawan ng Quadcom and sinasabi nya,” Barbers said. 

“Ang mahirap kay G. Harry Roque, ang dami niyang sinasabi sa labas ng Quadcom. Dito ka (sa Quadcom) magsalita at harapan i-justify yung refusal mo to submit documents. Wag sa social media. Dito tayo mag debate. Also, please be man enough and stand by what you promised to deliver to the panel,” he added. 

Barbers said that executive assistant AR dela Serna, the self-confessed “all around alalay”  of Roque and had accompanied the latter in several trips abroad, had been man enough to admit before the Quadcom panel that both of them has had a joint bank account in the amount of P3 million. 

Aside from the immigration lookout, Roque would be detained until the Quadcom hearings terminate, or until he complies with the subpoena, according to Barbers. 

Quadcom panel member Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said that as they investigate, the panel found the sudden increase of Roque’s assets, coming from P125,000 before 2016 and has risen to P125 million in 2018. 

“If he (Roque) will not be able to prove the legal and valid source of this sudden increase of assets of his family-owned Biancham, then there is reasonable ground to believe that indeed he is connected with POGO operations, and this money possibly came from POGO operations,” said Luistro.

Roque was implicated in the POGO controversy for accompanying and helping Cassandra Li Ong, an official of Whirlwind and Lucky South 99 gaming firm, to pay off arrears totaling US$500,000. He has admitted, on record, to being lawyer for Whirlwind, the company that is leasing its Porac compound to Lucky South 99.

The former spokesman of President Duterte, in a social media post, labeled the Quadcom as a kangaroo court, just wasting government money on hearings “na wala namang napapatunayan.”

The House leadership created the Quadcom, the first of its kind in the chamber’s history, to unite four House panels – Dangerous Drugs panel led by Barbers, Human Rights led by Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante, Public Order and Safety chaired by Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano and Public Accounts chaired by Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez– because they are separately conducting investigations on POGOs, EJKs and illegal drugs with same resource persons and with similar or interrelated subjects. (30)

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RPPe Quimbo: House to pass 2025 budget on third reading by September 25

BARRING last-minute hitches, the House of Representatives will approve on third and final reading the proposed P6.352-trillion 2025 national budget within the next two weeks or by Sept. 25.

That’s according to Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo, senior vice chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations chaired by Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez earlier committed that the House would finally approve the budget before the third and last regular session of Congress goes on its first recess on Sept. 27.

He said the proposed outlay would support the Agenda for Prosperity and Bagong Pilipinas programs of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.

Quimbo told reporters on Thursday that plenary debates on the proposed budget will start on Monday, with the discussions focusing on general principles used in putting together the 2025 spending program.

She said the House would hold marathon sessions starting at 10 in the morning. 

“Confident tayo na matatapos sa September 25 and yes marathon. Araw-araw mag-uumpisa na tayo [ng 10 AM] tuloy-tuloy ‘yan hanggat hindi natin matapos ang naka-schedule na agencies for that day,” Quimbo said.

“Ang ma-expect natin would be debates but this time hindi magsasalita mismo ang mga ahensya. So ang pwede lang talaga magsalita would be the congressman and congresswomen (sponsoring the agency budget). So, debate po siya between members of the House,” she said.

She added that agency officials could help the lawmaker defending their funding by giving them needed information.

Quimbo was interviewed after she revealed the decision of the committee on appropriations to reduce the proposed 2025 budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) by P1.3 billion, from P2.03 billion to P733 million. (END)

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RPPe Speaker Romualdez wishes PBBM ‘more success, good health,  strength to move PHL forward’  

 

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez extended today his birthday greetings to his first cousin, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., with a wish for his continued success, excellent health, and strength to move the country forward to greater progress. 

 

“On behalf of the House of Representatives, I wish you continued success, good health, and the strength to keep moving our beloved nation forward. May this year bring even more outstanding achievements and fulfillment,” Speaker Romualdez said. 

 

The administration stalwart and president of the ruling Lakas-CMD party assured the Chief Executive of the chamber’s “full support for your vision of a better Philippines.”

 

“We stand firmly with you as we work toward the shared goal of uplifting the lives of our countrymen and securing a brighter future for all,” the Speaker said, reassuring President Marcos of the House’s unwavering support for the legislative agenda of the administration until 2028. 

 

“The leadership you provide continues to inspire us, and we are honored to walk this meaningful journey alongside you. Your steadfast dedication to the Filipino people shines through in every action you take,” the Leyte 1st District congressman added. 

 

On a more personal note, Speaker Romualdez expressed gladness at how President Marcos’ political career has blossomed. “Having had the privilege of witnessing your journey over the years, I am filled with pride as I see your unwavering commitment to leading our nation toward unity and progress.”  

 

“On this special day, I extend my warmest greetings and deepest appreciation for the remarkable leader and individual you have become. Happiest birthday, Mr. President!” the Speaker said. (END)