Roque to answer qualified trafficking rap but might not personally appear

MANILA — Former Duterte spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday said he is ready to answer a qualified trafficking complaint against him at the Department of Justice but was non-committal on whether he will do it in person.

Roque, who is subject of an arrest warrant from the House of Representatives for contempt, said in an online interview that there are many ways to submit his answer aside from appearing before the DOJ.

"Ako po ay magsasampa ng aking depensa diyan sa coutner-affidavit pero iba't-ibang pamamaraan po ang pinapayagan ng ating rules kung paano po gawin yan," he said.

(I will file my defense in a counter-affidavit but there are many ways to do it under our rules)

Although his former colleagues at the House now consider him a fugitive, Roque has pointed out that the warrant against him is not from a court.

That could change if he is indicted on the trafficking complaint.

"Pupuwede pong manumpa sa kahit kaninong piskal o kahit kaninong puwe-pwedeng magbigay ng panunumpa," he said when pressed on whether he will go to the DOJ himself.

(A sworn statement can be made before a prosecutor or before any other person authorized give that oath)

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Monday included Roque and two others as respondents in the qualified trafficking complaint earlier filed against Lucky South 99 representative Cassandra Ong and 53 others.

The raps are over alleged illegal activities like human trafficking at the raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.

'NO EVIDENCE' 

Roque again denied the accusations against him, including that he actively participated in "furtherance of illegal activity" at the Lucky South 99 POGO hub.

He said that authorities have no evidence againt him and that the accusations are made up.

The lawyer maintained he is not the legal counsel of Ong, refuting the claim that he is part of a supposed conspiracy with Lucky South 99 officials.

"Nagsalita na po si Cassandra Ong sa Kamara at sa Senado. At sinabi niya pagkakamali po ang paglagay sa aking pangalan," Roque said, referring to a document recovered by authorities and that named him Lucky South 99's legal officer.

(Cassandra Ong has testified at the House and Senate and has said that the inclusion of my name was a mistake)

Roque has repeatedly said he was helping Ong in her capacity as an officer of Whirlwind Corp., the company that leased land to the Lucky South 99 POGO hub.

Members of the House quad committee believe, however, that the two firms are the same because they share the same officers, including Ong.

READ: Pagcor rebuts Roque's 'Whirlwind' story, says meeting solely about Lucky South 99

"But in any case, malinaw po yung papel na sinasabi nila ay hindi po pruweba na ako ay isang officer ng Lucky South 99. At pangalawa yung pagsama ko, wala pong ibig sabihin 'yun," Roque said. 

(In any case, it is clear that the document they are referencing is not proof that I am an officer of Lucky South 99. Secondly, my being at the meeting does not mean anything)

He added that his follow-ups with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. for Lucky South 99 were on behalf of Whirlwind Corp.

When asked about his wife Mylah, who supposedly went to Singapore for a check-up, he invoked their 'right to privacy.'

RELATED: Immigration confirms Roque’s wife left PH in early September

"Wala akong pakialam o kahit sino kung nasaan ang aking misis dahil wala naman siyang Hold Departure Order," he said.

(My wife's whereabouts are none of my or anyone's business. She is not the subject of a Hold Departure Order anyway)

Mrs. Roque is also subject of a House order for her arrest for contempt.

The Roques have repeatedly failed to attend recent House Quad Committee hearings.