House Quad-Committee Lifts Contempt Orders
The House quad-committee has officially lifted the contempt and detention orders against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, his wife Mylah, and former presidential adviser Michael Yang. This decision came as the special joint panel formally ended its 11-month investigation on Monday night, June 9.
Also released from contempt and detention were Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo and Senior Police Officer 4 Arthur Narsolis. “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,” said Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, one of the quad-committee’s four co-chairmen.
Quad-committee overall chairman, Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, carried the motion after no objections were raised. Paduano also moved to lift the detention order on Grijaldo, which Barbers agreed to as well.
Comprehensive Probe on POGO and Related Issues
Since August 2024, the House quad-committee has investigated alleged interconnected issues involving Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), extrajudicial killings (EJKs), money laundering, illegal drugs, and the controversial drug war under former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Harry Roque was cited twice for contempt during the probe—first for allegedly providing false testimony linked to Cassandra Ong, a POGO representative, and later for refusing to submit documents about POGO operations. He was briefly detained but released after complying with the committee’s orders.
Currently, Roque has left the country and is reportedly seeking asylum in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, he faces an arrest warrant here for qualified human trafficking related to the Lucky South 99 POGO hub raided in Porac, Pampanga. His wife Mylah was subpoenaed multiple times over her alleged involvement in acquiring properties connected to this POGO hub.
Michael Yang’s Role Scrutinized
Michael Yang, once an economic adviser to former President Duterte, was subpoenaed in 2024 regarding a P3.6-billion drug bust in Mexico, Pampanga, and illegal POGO activities. He has been linked to Empire 999 Realty Corp. and several Chinese-led companies reportedly used as fronts for methamphetamine trafficking.
Yang’s brother Tony’s arrest in Cagayan de Oro last year revealed warehouses allegedly used for both POGO and drug smuggling, prompting lawmakers to call Yang the “central figure” in a syndicate connecting offshore gaming and narcotics.
Releases of Grijaldo and Narsolis
Colonel Grijaldo had been detained at the House since December 2024 for repeatedly ignoring subpoenas related to extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s drug war. His release followed the official lifting of contempt and detention orders.
Senior Police Officer 4 Arthur Narsolis, accused of ordering hitmen to kill three Chinese drug suspects at the Davao Penal and Prison Farm in August 2016, was also cited for contempt after skipping committee hearings. He remains at large and never appeared before the panel.
Witnesses said Narsolis acted under the direction of retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Royina Garma. Committee records indicate Garma instructed Narsolis to “eliminate” the suspects, with Narsolis acting on her orders.
Committee’s Final Actions and Report
With the contempt powers lifted, the quad-committee consolidated its findings into a final report. This document includes legislative recommendations and potential prosecutorial actions aimed at addressing the issues uncovered during the investigation.
For more news and updates on House quad-committee, visit Filipinokami.com.