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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider SC junks Harry Roque's petition vs contempt citation, arrest order issued by ex-HOR's Quad-comm

SC junks Harry Roque's petition vs contempt citation, arrest order issued by ex-HOR's Quad-comm

Published Mar 30, 2026 03:40 pm
Due to the mootness of the issue raised, the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed the petition filed by former presidential spokesperson Harry L. Roque who challenged the contempt citation and arrest order issued against him by the then House of Representatives’ (HOR) Quad Committee (Quad-comm).
Roque was cited in contempt and ordered arrested by the Quad-comm for his refusal to attend congressional hearings and submit documents during the 2024 committee’s probe on the now banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
In a decision written by Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan, the SC as a full court ruled that lawyer Roque’s petition had become moot after the HOR Quad-comm lifted the contempt order against him and the 19th Congress adjourned on June 11, 2025.
In May 2025, Roque was ordered arrested by a Pampanga regional trial court (RTC) on charges of non-bailable human trafficking in relation to Lucky South 99 Corp., a POGO hub raided in Porac town.
Roque left the Philippines in September 2025 and sought political asylum in the Netherlands.
In a summary of the decision, the SC’s Office of the Spokesperson said that in 2024, the HOR convened the Quad-comm, composed of the Committees on Dangerous Drugs; Public Order and Safety; Human Rights; and Public Accounts to investigate illegal activities linked to POGOs.
It said that the Quad-comm invited Roque to attend its first hearing as a resource person but he did not appear, claiming he believed it was set for a different date.
He attended the second hearing, where he was questioned about his alleged ties to POGOs, and was directed to attend the next hearing and produce certain documents.
Roque did not comply and instead filed a motion to quash the subpoena. He argued that submitting the documents would violate his rights to privacy and against self-incrimination.
The Quad-comm denied his motion and issued a show cause order directing him to explain why he should not be held in contempt. He excused himself due to an alleged medical condition.
Roque was again invited to another hearing but failed to appear. Thereafter, the Quad-comm issued a detention order directing the HOR Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest him.
On June 9, 2025, the Quad-comm lifted the contempt order against Roque and thereafter submitted its final committee report, which included a proposed bill banning POGOs. The 19th Congress then adjourned on June 11, 2025.
In dismissing Roque’s petition, the SC reiterated that a case becomes moot when a ruling can no longer have any practical effect or provide relief.
It said that once a legislative inquiry ends, Congress’ power to cite a person in contempt also ends, and at that point, there is no longer any basis to penalize a witness.
It added that a legislative inquiry ends either when the committee submits its final report or when Congress adjourns its final session.
It also said that the submission of a final committee report marks the end of the inquiry, making any existing contempt order ineffective

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