Roque clarifies PAGCOR meeting regarding Lucky South 99 payment

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque clarified his interaction with PAGCOR, stating it was to schedule a payment for Lucky South 99, which held a valid license at the time, and that his client was Whirlwind Corporation, a service provider to Lucky South 99, not the POGO firm itself.

Roque's clarification addresses reports that he assisted the Porac POGO hub, Lucky South 99, in reapplying for its license.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco stated that Roque accompanied a Lucky South 99 representative to his office in July 2023 to discuss billing issues and an opportunity for the firm to settle approximately US$500,000 in arrears.

Tengco also revealed that Roque was listed as the head of the legal team in the company's submitted organizational chart during their license renewal application.

Roque has been advised by Tengco to confront the POGO firm's representative regarding this organizational chart.

Senator Risa Hontiveros previously released documents indicating Dennis Cunanan introduced himself as an authorized representative for both the Hong Sheng POGO in Bamban and the Lucky South POGO in Porac.

Cunanan's counsel stated he had not been affiliated with any POGO since October 2022, and Cunanan claimed he was an independent consultant who helped companies register for potential POGO operations when legally registered.

Senate President Francis Escudero urged Roque to attend the Senate's inquiry into illegal Pogos if invited, to present his side on the allegations.

Escudero believes Roque should seize the opportunity to clarify his involvement, given the seriousness of the accusations.