Mary Khezyll Galvan

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque acknowledged having an interest in the firm owning the house where two illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) were arrested in Benguet.

Photo Courtesy of Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau.

During a Senate Panel on Monday, Roque confirmed that after his departure from government service, he previously lived in the house, which was raided by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and Bureau of Immigration (BI) last Friday.

"Ang bahay na tinutukoy niyo sa Tuba, Benguet ay rehistrado sa isang korporasyon. Ako po ay may interes sa korporasyon that owns it, pero wala po sa akin ang possesion ng bahay na yan," Roque said during the panel.

He explained that the residential property was leased in January of this year to a Chinese national named Huan Yun, who is “registered with the homeowners association” and a “legal resident of the Philippines.”

“Hindi ko po dine-deny that that is a house that I have interest in. I have lived in the house. Ang sinasabi ko lang po pinaupahan po iyan and the possession is now with the lessee,” he added.

The discovery of POGO-affiliated suspects in his house was viewed by Roque as a “concerted effort” to discredit him.

“Kaya nga po nung sinabi nila na sinalakay ang bahay ko at may mga wanted na mga POGO bosses don ay ako po ay talagang nag-conclude na meron talagang pilit na naninira sa akin,” he exclaimed.

The two foreign nationals arrested in Benguet were confirmed by the BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan to be affiliated with the POGO Bamban operation raid on March 14 this year.

While the BI has not confirmed Roque’s ownership of the property, an anonymous intelligence official stated that local residents confirmed that Roque’s wife, Maila, owns the house.