Former Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque denied allegations that he owns the recently raided house in Benguet but admitted to having an interest in the corporation that owns the property.
During a joint committee hearing led by Senators Risa Hontiveros and Win Gatchalian concerning the POGO probe on Monday, Roque revealed that he is an incorporator of the company that owns the residential house in Benguet.
The house in question is located in Pinewoods Golf and Country Club in Tuba, Benguet, and is currently rented by a Chinese national, according to reports.
Ex-spokesperson Roque also expressed his interest in acquiring ownership rights of PH2 Corporation, which was reportedly owned by Biancham Holdings and Trading Inc.
"Tinirhan ko ‘yan nung ako’y umalis ng gobyerno and I do have an interest in the corporation that owns it," Roque stated during the senate committee hearing on Monday.
"Pero wala po sa akin ang possession ng bahay na ‘yan dahil as of January 2024, ‘yan ay pinaupahan ng korporasyon," he added.
During the hearing, Roque noted that the lessee, a Chinese national, holds a 9G working visa and an alien certificate of registration.
On Saturday, operatives from the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted a raid on the residential property. The operation targeted five Chinese nationals, of whom only two were apprehended.
The current lessee of the property, along with another foreign national present in the house, was arrested.
