Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has been released from detention at the House of Representatives after serving a 24-hour detention period.
“He has been released after serving the 24-hour detention,” confirmed House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco to GMA News Online.
Roque was detained on Thursday evening following a decision by a joint panel from four committees in the lower chamber, which cited him for contempt. This action came after Kabayan party-list Representative Ron Salo accused Roque of lying about his reason for missing a hearing on August 16.
Roque, who served as spokesperson for former President Rodrigo Duterte, was held at the Batasang Pambansa Complex for 24 hours. His detention was relatively short due to his status as a former member of the House and his subsequent apology.
Roque is under scrutiny for his alleged involvement as a lawyer for Lucky South Star 99, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm, where belongings of his former Malacañang staff were seized during a raid in Porac, Pampanga. He has denied acting as counsel for Lucky South 99, stating that his legal advice was only related to obtaining POGO licenses for Cassandra Ong, who represented a different entity, Whirlwind firm, and not Lucky South 99.
Roque criticized his detention, calling it “political harassment.” He shared his sentiments on Facebook, claiming that the contempt ruling represents “abuse of power” and targets him as an “anti-Marcos Jr. critic.”
“I will never cower before any persecutor. I will continue voicing my criticisms against the malpractices and incompetence in government,” Roque asserted. He also challenged the basis for his detention, questioning what criminal act he allegedly committed or what constitutional provision he supposedly violated.