Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (left), lawyer Harry Roque (Facebook)

Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, has debunked the notion that the House quad-committee (quad-comm) should be blamed for the current "sufferings" of lawyer Harry Roque and his family. 

In a lengthy statement on late Saturday afternoon, Sept. 21, Barbers reminded the public of Roque’s omissions in relation to the quad-comm, which led to the current situation. 

"When I was asked for comment by the media covering the quad-comm hearing, on Mr. Roque’s claim that quad-comm is destroying his family, my answer was: Huwag kami ang sisihin niya, tanungin niya ang sarili niya," said Barbers, overall chairman of the mega-panel. 

(He shouldn't blame us, instead he should ask himself.) 

The veteran solon from Mindanao also had some words for Roque’s wife, Mylah, who herself had a run-in with the quad-comm. 

"I would like to vehemently deny Mrs. Mylah Roque’s claim that I am an abusive individual who abuses my immunity from libel during the quad-comm hearings. 

"If she would have the time to watch the quad-comm hearings, from the first to the sixth, our latest, which can be viewed in various social media platforms, she can clearly observe and see that as quad-comm chair, I was the one who acts as the 'rudder' of the team, very calmly leading House leaders and panel members in toning down some unnecessary remarks or comments as the probe goes on," Barbers said, in reference to his less calm co-chairmen. 

The quad-comm---the officials of which are composed of congressmen who have low tolerance for lying and evasiveness--has issued an arrest order for Roque and a show-cause order for Mylah. 

The show-cause order is basically a chance for Mylah to explain why the special four-way panel shouldn't cite her for contempt. 

Her husband--the former presidential spokesperson of Rodrigo Duterte--had already been slapped with two contempt citations. He is reportedly in hiding. 

"Your husband Harry’s continued refusal to submit the vital documents he promised to provide the quad-comm only increased the lawmakers’ curiosity on the sudden increase of his wealth, from P125,000 in 2016, to P125 million in 2018," Barber told Mylah in his statement. 

HAVE YOU READ THIS? 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/4/pang-mag-asawa-mag-ama-lang-dela-serna-admits-joint-bank-account-with-roque 

AR and Harry 

Barbers also underscored the possible "damage" that Alberto Rodulfo "AR" dela Serna's interactions with Roque--as uncovered by the quad-comm--has caused to the lawyer's family. 

"As to her claim that I declared her family as “wazak,”, I think I would be the last person to say that," the Nacionalista Party (NP) stalwart said. 

"Mr. Roque’s close executive assistant, AR dela Serna’s disclosure and admission during the hearings that they are maintaining a 'joint bank account' worth P3 million could have adversely affected or damaged his reputation," he said. 

Barbers further told Mylah: "If you and Mr. Roque really have nothing to hide, particularly his alleged links to illegal POGO, then you should both attend the quad-comm hearings, be transparent and open all your cards." 

He said Mylah's name cropped up in the hearings because she was the one who signed the lease agreement to a wanted Chinese information technology expert who is in hiding after the latter’s POGO firm in Porac, Pampanga was raided by local authorities.