Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque responds to the House panels’ decision to cite him in contempt, calling the decision as ‘unwarranted’ and simply, an ‘abuse of power’.
According to Roque's statement on Friday, his non-appearance was an honest mistake, as he thought that the hearing was scheduled on Thursday, August 15. He mentioned that the confusion on his part was due to his understanding that Congress was closed on Fridays.
“My 24-hour detention is unwarranted. Simply, it is an abuse of power,” Roque wrote in his statement.
As a former member of the House of Representatives, Roque said that he maintains utmost respect for the institution. He added that he had appeared in three out four invitations.
“It is political harassment. Panggigipit dahil sa pulitika. Maliwanag na maliwanag,” he added.
On his Detention
Roque issued another statement on Friday, addressing his ordered detention. He considers the deprivation of one's liberty as something worse than hunger. Therefore, the deprivation of his personal liberty and freedom is something he would not wish upon anyone, even to his fiercest opponents.
“Dalawa lang ang dahilan kung bakit ako ikinulong: Una, patahimikin ako bilang maingay na kritiko ng Administrasyon at tapat na ka-alyado ng mga Duterte; at pangalawa, pigilan ako sa pagtupad ng aking tungkulin bilang abogado ni dating Pangulong Duterte sa International Criminal Court,” his statement said.
Roque claimed that the accusations against him are a demolition job; an act to pin him down.
“After more than a month of vicious character assassination and relentless trial by publicity, the honorable men and women of the 19th Congress found me guilty of one crime: an absence to a House Committee invite,” he refuted.
He added that he will not bow down to ‘political pressure’ with current Administration's actions to question him.
Roque was previously cited in contempt after his failure to be in attendance at the House Quad Committee hearing on Friday, August 16.
