Harry Roque denies being legal counsel for raided Pogo hub

Harry Roque

MANILA, Philippines — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Wednesday denied allegations that he served as the legal counsel of raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) Lucky South 99.

In a statement, Roque confirmed that he requested a rescheduling of the arrears payment of a lessee and principal of his client Whirlwind Corporation.

He also clarified that his client is a service provider to Lucky South, then a holder of a valid license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

Roque’s pronouncements came after Pagcor chief Alejandro Tengco disclosed during the Senate panel on women’s hearing that Roque reached out to his office to help Lucky South 99 reapply for its license.

Tengco said Roque was lawyering for the firm.

Roque also slammed panel head Sen. Risa Hontiveros for allegedly concluding that he lied to the media about only counseling for Whirlwind.

“I clarify that I did not consent to nor was I informed of my name’s inclusion in any submission by Lucky South with the Pagcor concerning license renewal. If her only basis is the organizational chart naming me as legal counsel of Lucky South 99, then I challenge her to prove that I had a direct hand in preparing the said document. No such evidence exists,” he said.

According to Roque, he has no reason to deny his legal engagement with Lucky South 99 if there is truth to it.

“Providing legal representation is why the legal profession exists. But the reality is that an attorney-client relationship is of the highest fiduciary relationship and cannot be presumed unless there is a clear retainer between counsel and client,” he said.

“As a lawyer, I could not directly engage with the Pogo because of a potential conflict of interest and given the soured lease contract between Whirlwind and Lucky South,” he added

Read: Harry Roque legal counsel for raided Pogo hub, Pagcor chief tells Senate