Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was cited for contempt for lying before the House of Representatives quad-committee with regard to his absence during its first hearing.
The ruling was made after Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo showed a certification from Manila Regional Trial Court Clerk of Court lawyer Jennifer dela Cruz-Buendia which stated that Roque did not have scheduled hearing last Aug. 16.
The House quadcomm conducted its first heating on August 16 in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Roque however asked that he be excused from attending the scheduled meeting due to a hearing in a Manila court.
“Atty. Harry Roque sent a letter dated Aug. 13, 2024 addressed to the honorable chairman Robert Ace Barbers […] informing Chair Barbers that he will not be able to participate (in) the said meeting due to a conflict with a previously scheduled court hearing before the Regional Trial Court on 16 August 2024 — the same date of our quad-committee hearing,” Salo said.
“Mr. Chair, we are also in receipt here of a copy of a certification […] stating that Atty. Harry Roque had no hearing on August 16, and did not appear in the Court of Manila. Mr. Chair, I hate to say it but clearly Atty. Harry Roque, our former secretary and my former law professor, lied to this committee, and that amounts to disrespect to the members of the committee, which is contemptable,” he added.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “House megapanel cites Roque in contempt for ‘lying’ about hearing absence”
