ROQUE WARNED THAT HE COULD BE CITED IN CONTEMPT AFTER CLASH WITH HONTIVEROS

Former Palace spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday engaged in a verbal clash with Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality chair Sen. Risa Hontiveros, prompting a senator to warn him that he will be cited in contempt for “disrespect.”

Roque on Monday  attended  the hearing of the panel on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) led by Hontiveros.

He denied his ties to Lucky South 99, a POGO in Porac, Pampanga raided for alleged illegal activities.

During the hearing, Roque accused Hontiveros of “insinuating” that he was connected to the illegal POGO.

He said the document presented by the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corporation (PAGCOR) listing him as the legal officer of POGO in Porac does not prove his ties to Lucky South 99.

Roque went on to lecture the senators of the rules of the Senate in presenting evidence.

“Excuse me. You do not need to tell our Senate Committee what our rules are,” Hontiveros said.

Roque then interrupted Hontiveros: “Ma’am excuse me.”

“No, no, no, excuse me,” Hontiveros said.

“Di ko po maintindihan, ‘pag gusto niyo ko tumigil papatigilin niyo ‘ko pag ako nag-eexplain. I’m sorry ma’am, but I am a resource person invited here… I thought we were engaged in the search for the truth,”  Roque said.

“Oh, definitely we are,” Hontiveros replied.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian then reminded Roque to respect the Senate panel’s chairperson to which the former Palace spokesperson replied that he’s “very respectful.”

“Paanong respectful eh nagsasalita siya  (Hontiveros) sinasabayan mo siya?,” Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian then warned Roque that he would be cited in contempt should he continue to disrespect Hontiveros.

Roque later apologized to the Senate panel.