Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has filed a petition with the Supreme Court, seeking to stop an arrest order issued by the House of Representatives' Quad Committee (Quad Com).
The petition, filed on Monday through his daughter Bianca Hacintha, calls for a writ of amparo to prevent the Quad Com from executing the arrest.
In the 66-page petition, Bianca Hacintha Roque argued that the Quad Com had overstepped its legislative authority. She stated that the committee had abused its power by interfering with matters under the purview of the Executive and Judicial branches.
"The actions of the respondents (referring to the House of Representatives Quad Com) were committed with grave abuse of discretion in exercising their legislative powers in an abusive manner, and in usurping the investigative powers reserved for the Executive Branch and the adjudicative powers reserved for the Judicial Branch of government," the petition reads.
Bianca Roque also urged the Supreme Court to issue a Temporary Protection Order (TPO) against the Quad Com, arguing that requiring her father to provide more documents or attend future hearings would violate his constitutional rights, particularly his right against self-incrimination.
She emphasized that the 1987 Constitution protects individuals from being forced to testify against themselves.
"Legislative inquiry must respect the individual rights of the persons invited to or affected by the legislative inquiry or investigation. Hence, the power of legislative inquiry must be carefully balanced with the private rights of those affected,” her petition read." it added.
The petition further argues that Atty. Roque has already complied with Quad Com’s demands by submitting all relevant information during three public hearings regarding internet gaming licenses and Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
The House Quad Comm, which is probing various issues including POGOs, cited Atty. Roque in contempt on September 12 for failing to provide financial documents that would clarify the increase in his assets over recent years.
Harry Roque had initially agreed to submit these documents but later refused, citing privacy concerns and filing a motion to quash the subpoena, which was denied.
The Quad Committee ordered his detention until he complies.
The former spokesperson claims the investigation is a "political inquisition" aimed at him due to his association with the Duterte administration. He stated that he would only surrender if ordered by the Supreme Court.
As of mid-September 2024, authorities have been unable to locate him to serve the arrest warrant.
