Lawmakers on Roque detention: No persecution

The Manila Times

Lawmakers on Roque detention: No persecution  Representatives Robert Ace Barbers and Dan Fernandez, co-chairmen of the House quad committee, say that they respect former presidential spokesman Harry Roque and stress that their interpellation of their former colleague is not a demolition job against him. Barbers and Fernandez, in a virtual press conference on Aug. 23, 2024, were reacting to claims by Roque that the investigation was 'persecution' against him. They also said that they would extend courtesy to former president Rodrigo Duterte, whom they invited to shed light on the killing of three Chinese citizens in detention.   Video courtesy of House of Representatives Media  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe  Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net    Follow us:  Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook  Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram  Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter  DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion    Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital    Check out our Podcasts:  Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify  Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts  Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic  Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer  Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein   #TheManilaTimes  #tmtnews  #houseofrepresentatives  #harryroque  #duterte

Transcript

00:00We have to be strong in our resolve and we showed it, not just because a former colleague, former secretary, a former lawyer,

00:14we cannot be forgiven for the punishment that clearly violated our rules.

00:21And what he's saying about what I said, that we were hurt and that was our basis for citing him in contempt, that's wrong.

00:32What I'm saying is, the friendship of the members of the committee together with him, we appreciate that and that's the reason why I said we were hurt

00:47because of what he said, that he collectively mentioned everything.

00:51Because what he's saying is the House of Representatives and we are all there, we are all like this and that.

00:59I mean there is freedom of expression, we believe on that.

01:03But if you really treasure your friendship, like for example us, you will give consideration.

01:10For example, yesterday, we are somehow interpolating during the suspension and trying to justify that he was a former colleague of ours

01:25and at the same time, friends of our members.

01:29But we stood our resolve and we decided in favor of the rules of the quadcom to cite him in contempt.

01:39That's the reason why the issue that I'm saying that we were angry with him because of all of his congressmen came out.

01:51Basically, we were angry, not angry because it seems like he's saying everything about us.

01:58But he answered yesterday that he's not saying everything.

02:03There are certain areas or certain people that he's saying.

02:13But be that as it may, it already happened.

02:17We will follow the rules and if this is what they call a demolition job,

02:26and the evidences that we have gathered are shouting for the truth,

02:33it really doesn't take so much interest on the words that they call a demolition job.

02:41It really doesn't matter. As long as we are doing our job,

02:46we will release the evidences and we will stick with that.

02:53He can say whatever he wants to say. Personally, I will not dignify his reason or what he's saying.

03:01We are clear that we are fair. Why? You violated the rules of the house, just like other people who violated the rules of the house.

03:10We detained him and we condemned him. That's all.

03:13Whatever his statement that he's saying this, why he was cited in contempt, he knows the truth.

03:21He knows what he's saying. So I will not dignify that.

03:25You said that you're going to invite the former President, former President Felipe Duterte.

03:32I'm raising this point again. What if he didn't attend, he declined and of course, he won't decline over and over again.

03:44Are you going to do that precarious position that you may or you might cite the President in contempt for not attending, not heeding the invitation?

03:59What we said here in the Quadcom, we are fair, we are just, we are only honest.

04:07Because that's our goal, that's our objective, we are giving a chance.

04:14Whoever should be given a chance to appear in our investigation, meaning if you are mentioned,

04:23if you are mentioned by any witness, we will give you a chance to answer.

04:30That's the reason why we've been sending out invitations to our investigation.

04:35This is a chance, a due process.

04:39But just like the position of our former President, we always extend the courtesy to him.

04:48Because we respect his opinion on this invitation.

04:54Although there was a motion yesterday, our Senior Deputy Speaker, Don Gonzales, was invited by the former President.

05:05The same thing happened to the Committee on Human Rights, where the former President was invited.

05:12If they didn't attend, we will extend the courtesy to them.

05:18That's the position of the Quadcom.

05:22There will be a lot of ways.

05:24If you catch a fish, there are many ways.

05:29So I think we will give the highest courtesy to the former President.

05:37But of course, you cannot prevent other members being a democratic committee.

05:45We respect each other's decision and their perception.

05:54Just like yesterday, when somebody wanted to object on the motion of Congressman Salo,

06:05the Chairman, peace barbers allow it.

06:08Because we are a democratic committee, we observe their views.

06:17Basically, if somebody will issue a show-cause order or eventually subpoena or contempt to the former President,

06:27then we will talk about it.

06:29We will be debating about that.

06:32Then we will decide on the fate of the motion.

06:36That's the way it will be.

06:39I hope that the people will understand.

06:44Because the creation of Quadcom is really to find out the truth.

06:49The chance that we are giving them to be heard and to explain their side on the very issue that was tackled,

06:59especially yesterday when there were accusations like that,

07:02we should listen to them.

07:05Nobody can prevent.

07:08Nobody can prevent the evidences that we are gathering.

07:15We are not gathering.

07:17They are giving us the evidence.

07:19We are just gathering all together.

07:22We are choosing.

07:23Yes, we are just choosing.

07:25Because in many cases, sometimes it looks like they will just use the hearing.

07:30We have that kind of thing.

07:31They will say, Ace, it doesn't look like that.

07:36They will just use it in politics.

07:37Yes, they will just use it in politics.

07:39That's why I salute Chairman Ace.

07:43I know he's having a hard time and his head is aching.

07:47But he was able to do it in a nice way.

Category

Transcript

Recommended