Manila: The Supreme Court has dismissed for mootness a petition filed by the daughter of former presidential spokesperson and fugitive Harry Roque, questioning the contempt proceedings against her father by the House of Representatives which is probing his links to illegal activities of Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs. In a 12-page decision published online on Monday, the high court dismissed the petition filed by Bianca Hacintha Roque on behalf of her father and against the chamber's Quad Committee (Quadcom).

According to Philippines News Agency, the Quadcom consists of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs, Committee on Human Rights, Committee on Public Accounts, and Committee on Public Order and Safety. The court clarified that the submission of the legislative committee report is linked to the committee's obligation to conclude the inquiry. The court stated, "When the committee submits its final report, the inquiry ends and any contempt order issued in such inquiry ceases to have any purpose or effect."

The Quadcom lifted the contempt order against Roque on June 9, 2025, and submitted its final report a day later. The court emphasized, "With the lifting of the contempt order, the cessation of the Quad Committee's inquiry, and the expiration of the 19th Congress, this court no longer grant any practical relief to Atty. Roque. The petition must perforce be dismissed."

The House probe involved several bills based on findings made during legislative inquiries, including defining extrajudicial killing, banning POGOs, and forfeiture in favor of the state of real estate unlawfully acquired by foreign nationals and espionage. The investigation also covered issues such as the use of dummies to conceal business interests and failing to file correct statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth, among others.

Roque's whereabouts remain unknown, but he regularly posts on social media.