Contempt orders lifted as House quad comm ends, but solons vow justice
In this Sept. 13, 2024 photo, the quad committee of the House of Representatives resumes its investigation into the extrajudicial killings under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.— HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Contempt orders issued against several individuals who violated House rules during the quad committee hearings have been lifted, but lawmakers insist that the pursuit of justice is not yet over.
During the final quad committee hearing held on Monday, the super panel lifted the contempt orders against the following individuals:
- former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque
- Roque’s wife Mylah Roque
- former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang
- Police Col. Hector Grijaldo
- Senior Police Officer 4 Arthur Narsolis
Quad committee co-chairperson and Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano moved to lift the contempt orders.
The motion was duly seconded and eventually approved by lead presiding officer and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers.
“The motion to lift the contempt order for Col. Grijaldo, spouses Myla and Atty. Harry Roque, retired police officer Arthur Narsolis, and Mr. Michael Yang—so moved, Mr. Chairman,” Paduano said.
“There is a motion to lift the contempt order… and it was duly seconded. Are there any objections? Hearing none, the motion is approved,” Barbers said.
The detention order on Grijaldo, who was cited for contempt for repeatedly skipping the quad committee hearings, was also lifted.
“The motion to lift the detention order by this committee of Col. Grijaldo, duly seconded. Hearing no objections, the motion is carried,” Barbers said.
Despite the lifting of the contempt and detention orders, Barbers, Paduano, and the other quad committee co-chairpersons urged incoming lawmakers to continue what they have started and to relentlessly pursue justice.
Barbers, in what seemed to be a valedictory speech from lawmakers ending their term, also said there will always be legislators who will pursue justice and accountability, even after the committee report is submitted.
“This may be the last hearing of the quad comm during this time. But the pursuit of justice will continue. If we failed to give much attention to other matters due to the lack of time, do not lose trust and hope, as lawmakers are not deaf to your concerns,” Barbers said.
“It is clearer than sunlight — the people were deceived. They sold our people, our future, our children, and the country itself to foreign criminals,” he added.
Paduano, meanwhile, is banking on the renewed interest of the youth regarding national issues that should be addressed.
“It has also reignited public interest, particularly among the youth, in actively participating in nation-building,” he said. “We know they listened attentively to the discussions and debates, often staying up until midnight – and sometimes even later – just to bear witness to the unfolding of events in these investigations.”
“In that spirit, we leave the challenge to the incoming Congress and its future leaders – to continue and build upon the foundation that the Quad Comm has laid,” he added. “With that, I bid you goodbye, but our fight continues for a modern, prosperous and corruption-free Philippines.”
Roque was cited for contempt in September 2024 after failing to provide the quad committee with documents it had required, including financial statements and other files that would clarify alleged links between his companies and Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hubs.
Roque had initially promised to submit the requested documents, such as his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth and the tax declarations of his companies.
At one point during the hearings, Barbers said the probe focused on Roque’s links to Pogos, not his personality. He cited an incident in which an illegal alien working for the Lucky South 99 Pogo hub was arrested in a home in Tuba, Benguet — a property owned by Roque’s company.
READ: Barbers clarifies: House probe targets Roque’s firms’ Pogo link, not him
Due to these alleged ties, the quad committee invited Roque to the hearings. He, however, maintained that he merely accompanied Lucky South 99 incorporator Katherine Cassandra Ong to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and was not acting as legal counsel for the Pogo firm.
READ: Roque: Pagcor chief did not say I lobbied for illegal Pogo firms
Grijaldo, meanwhile, was cited for contempt after skipping the hearings, claiming that he was admitted to the Pasig Doctors Medical Center due to rotator cuff or shoulder issues.
Lawmakers, however, asked the House medical team and the Philippine National Police Health Service to determine if Grijaldo is capable of attending the hearings.
Grijaldo is the police official who accused two co-chairpersons of the quad committee—Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr.—of pressuring him to confirm the testimonies of retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Royina Garma.
During the hearing of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee on October 28, 2024, Grijaldo told the panel that Abante and Fernandez summoned him to check if he could confirm parts of Garma’s testimony about the alleged rewards system in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war.
READ: Cop claims solons pressured him to confirm drug war reward system
This happened, Grijaldo said, on October 22, 2024 during the ninth and most recent quad committee hearing./mcm
