MANILA – Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque denied allegation that he is working as the legal counsel of raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub Lucky South 99 in Pampanga.
According to Roque, he requested a rescheduling of the arrears payment of a lessee and principal of his client Whirlwind Corporation, a service provider to Lucky South.
Roque’s clarification came after Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chief Alejandro Tengco said in a Senate hearing that Roque reached out to his office to help Lucky South 99 reapply for its license.
The former Palace spokesperson also lambasted the Senate committee headed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros for allegedly concluding that he lied to the media about only counseling for Whirlwind.
“I clarify that I did not consent to nor was I informed of my name’s inclusion in any submission by Lucky South with PAGCOR concerning license renewal,” Roque said.
“If her only basis is the organizational chart naming me as legal counsel of Lucky South 99, then I challenge her to prove that I had a direct hand in preparing the said document. No such evidence exists,” he added.
Roque said has no reason to deny his legal engagement with Lucky South 99 if there is truth to it.
“Providing legal representation is why the legal profession exists. But the reality is that an attorney-client relationship is of the highest fiduciary relationship and cannot be presumed unless there is a clear retainer between counsel and client,” he said.
“As a lawyer, I could not directly engage with the POGO because of a potential conflict of interest and given the soured lease contract between Whirlwind and Lucky South,” he added./PN
