SC dismisses Harry Roque's petition vs. House committee over POGO inquiry

The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed the petition filed by Atty. Herminio Harry L. Roque, which sought to stop the House of Representatives (HOR) Quad Committee (Quadcomm) from arresting him and requiring his attendance at hearings related to the investigation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

In a decision written by Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan, the SC En Banc ruled that the petition for certiorari and prohibition is now moot.

According to a news release of the Office of the Spokesperson of the Supreme Court, the decision follows the Quadcomm lifting the contempt order against Atty. Roque and the adjournment of the 19th Congress on June 11, 2025.

The House convened the Quadcomm in 2024, composed of the Committees on Dangerous Drugs; Public Order and Safety; Human Rights; and Public Accounts to investigate illegal activities linked to POGOs.

The SC said the case involves Atty. Roque's failure to appear at hearings or submit required documents, citing privacy rights, medical conditions, and a belief that hearings were set for different dates.

"The Quadcomm invited Atty. 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," the high court said.

"He attended the second hearing, where he was questioned about his alleged ties to POGOs, and was directed to attend the next hearing with certain documents. Atty. Roque did not comply and instead filed a motion to quash the subpoena," the court added.

This led the Quadcomm to issue a show cause order and a subsequent detention order.

The court said Roque reasoned that he should be excused due to his medical condition.

"He was again invited to another hearing but failed to appear. The Quadcomm then issued a subpoena for him to attend the next hearing. It also issued a detention order, with the contempt order attached, directing the HOR Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest him," the court noted.

Roque also sought a writ of amparo, saying that Quadcomm’s contempt and detention orders threatened his rights to life, liberty, and security.

However, the SC denied this request on October 1, 2024, clarifying that such a remedy is reserved for cases involving extralegal killings or enforced disappearances.

"The SC explained that amparo is not the proper remedy against Congressional contempt and detention orders. It clarified that the writ applies only to cases involving extralegal killings, enforced disappearances, or similar threats—none of which were present in this case," the court explained.

On June 9, 2025, the Quadcomm lifted the contempt order against Atty. Roque.

The following day, the committee submitted its final report, which included a proposed bill banning POGOs, before the 19th Congress 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," the court said.

The court explained that Congress' power to cite a person in contempt ends upon the conclusion of a legislative inquiry.

This conclusion occurs either when a committee submits its final report or when Congress adjourns its final session.

The court stressed that the submission of a final report marks the end of the inquiry, rendering any existing contempt order ineffective.

In this case, since the Quadcomm lifted the order and submitted its report prior to the adjournment of the 19th Congress, the Supreme Court ruled it could no longer grant any effective relief to Roque.

-Paraluman News