By Brian Jules Campued
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian warned former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque of contempt after clashing with Sen. Risa Hontiveros during Monday’s continuation of the Senate’s probe on reported human trafficking, abuse, and other criminal activities involving Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Roque repeatedly cut Hontiveros short as she asked the former about his supposed connection to the raided Lucky South 99 POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.
“Atty. Roque, please be reminded to respect the chairperson,” Gatchalian told Roque.
“One more and I will cite you in contempt. And if you disrespect the chairperson, we’ll be compelled to cite you in contempt,” he added.
Roque, however, maintained that he was “very respectful” to Hontiveros.
During the heated exchange, Roque accused Hontiveros of “insinuating” that he is lawyer for Lucky South 99 which the senator slammed.
“Excuse me, the chair has not been insinuating anything. The chair and the members of the committee have been asking questions based on the sworn testimonies of PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) Chair [Alejandro] Tengco, Atty. [Jessa Mariz] Fernandez of PAGCOR, and other resource persons,” Hontiveros said.
Tengco previously said that Roque had lobbied for Lucky South 99 when the latter and the POGO firm’s representative, Cassandra Li Ong, went to PAGCOR last year to discuss their unpaid arrears.
Roque also maintained that he was never a lawyer for Lucky South 99 or any POGO firm in the country.
“I maintain as an officer of the courts and under oath before the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines that I have never acted as legal counsel for Lucky South 99 or for any other POGO,” Roque said.
He added that he only accompanied Ong to a meeting with PAGCOR because she was a corporate secretary of Whirlwind Corporation, also a “service provider” of the Lucky South 99. (with report from Daniel Manalastas/PTV News)
– iro
