MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed for mootness a petition filed by the daughter of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, challenging the contempt proceedings issued against him by the House of Representatives.

In a 12-page decision published online, the high court junked the petition filed by Bianca Hacintha Roque on behalf of her father against the House Quad Committee (Quadcom), which investigated his alleged links to illegal activities tied to Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs.

The Quadcom is composed of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs, Committee on Human Rights, Committee on Public Accounts, and Committee on Public Order and Safety.

“(T)he submission of the (legislative) committee report is concomitant to the committee’s duty to terminate the inquiry. 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 court said.

According to the SC, the Quadcom lifted its contempt order against Roque on June 9, 2025, and submitted its final report the following day.

“With the lifting of the contempt order, the cessation of the Quad Committee’s inquiry, an the expiration of the 19th Congress, this court no longer grant any practical relief to Atty. Roque. The petition must perforce be dismissed,” it added.

The House inquiry led to the filing of several proposed measures based on its findings, including bills defining extrajudicial killing, banning POGOs, and allowing the forfeiture of real estate unlawfully acquired by foreign nationals.

The probe also looked into issues such as the use of dummies to hide business interests and the failure to properly declare assets, liabilities, and net worth.

Roque’s whereabouts remain unknown, although he continues to post on social media.