Former Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque emphasized that Congress has no authority to conduct investigations into criminal matters and does not possess the power to impose penalties on individuals.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH's Balansyado on Tuesday, Roque said Congress violated his human rights by citing him in contempt. He clarified that while Congress can cite resource persons in contempt, this should only apply when drafting a law, with questions related to the law being created.
"Hindi dapat lumalabas sa puder niya [Kongreso] dahil paulit-ulit na sinabi ng ating Korte Suprema [na] ang power of contempt ay para lamang in aid of legislation and not for any other purpose," Roque stated.
According to Roque, he has attended three committee hearings, but the questions asked were no longer related to POGO or any legislation and instead focused on his personal life.
He pointed out that the questions asked of him, including those about the extrajudicial settlement of his aunt’s estate, documents related to the sale of his family’s land, and his wife’s medical records, had nothing to do with the law being drafted concerning POGO.
Roque, however, clarified that he is willing to assist Congress if it is in aid of legislation, as he was once a legislator and even a law professor.
"Pero ang ginagawa po ng Quad Committee na 'yan, ito po ay kumbaga...tinawag ko na nga silang Kangaroo court kasi ang tingin nila'y sila'y fiscal at huwes at the same time, nagkokondena bagamat wala naman silang kapangyarihan na magparusa," said Roque.
Roque further stated that he will not allow his right to freedom to be violated and has turned to the Supreme Court to seek a remedy to prevent the House of Representatives from taking further action against him.
"Antayin po natin ang sagot ng hukuman kung sasabihin ng hukuman na dapat akong sumagot at dalhin ang mga dokumentong 'yan, susunod naman po tayo," said Roque.
On September 12, Roque was cited in contempt by the Quad-Committee for failing to submit the required documents related to his assets. Authorities have been unable to locate him since then. However, Roque denies being a fugitive.
According to Roque, if the Supreme Court rules that he must submit the documents requested by Congress, he is willing to comply. However, he remains prepared to stand firm on his 'principles.'
The former spokesperson confirmed that he is not in the Philippines at the moment and that he traveled to Abu Dhabi last Friday to take an oath for his counter-affidavit.
He stated that he will return once the Supreme Court issues a resolution, and this remains his stance.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) is considering filing charges against Roque over allegations that he may have left the country through illegal means.
