House quad-committee issues show cause orders to POGO-linked individuals

The House of Representatives quad-committee on Friday issued show cause orders to several individuals, including Alberto Rodulfo Dela Serna, the “executive assistant” of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

Dela Serna was among those who failed to appear at Friday’s hearing held at Porac, Pampanga, as part of the ongoing investigation into the links between Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), the illegal drug trade, and the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) associated with the Duterte administration’s drug war.

Roque, a key figure in the POGO controversy, was absent from the hearing, citing a scheduled appearance at the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) as his reason.

The quad-committee subsequently directed the Secretariat to verify his claim by coordinating with the RTC. If Roque was not present at the court hearing, a show cause order will also be issued against him.

Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts, moved for the issuance of the show cause orders. The motion was approved by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who chairs the Committee on Dangerous Drugs and serves as the lead chairman of the quad-committee.

The absence of key figures, including Dela Serna, alarmed committee members, leading to the issuance of show cause orders to compel their attendance and cooperation in the ongoing investigation. Individuals who were ordered to explain their absence include several prominent figures.

Acting Mayor Eraño Timbang and various department heads from Bamban, Tarlac, as well as officials from Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc., such as Thelma B. Laranan and Yu Zheng Can, were among those who were summoned. Incorporators of Baofu Land Corporation, including dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Leal Guo and Bernard Chua, were also named in the show cause orders.

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