MANILA – The House of Representatives’ quad committee has lifted the contempt orders on former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and three others in the spirit of Christmas.
Abang Lingkod party-list’s Cong. Joseph Stephen Paduano made the motions on the contempts of Guo, Lucky South 99 representative Cassandra Ong, Chinese businessman Tony Yang, and Police Major Leo Laraga on late Thursday night.
Guo, who was cited on September 19 for “lying” and “evasiveness”, was released from House custody since she is detained at the Pasig City Jail for qualified human trafficking, graft, money laundering, and material misrepresentation.
“Since Alice Guo is now detained by virtue of the court order, I move that we lift the contempt order for miss Guo Hua Ping alias Alice Guo,” Paduano said.
Paduano also motioned for the lifting of Ong’s contempt after receiving reports about her health condition while detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.
“The doctors of the CIW and the House of Representatives confirmed that she is not fit to attend and withstand the congressional hearings. With this mister chairman, I move that we lift the contempt order for miss Cassandra Ong,” he said.
“When she was assessed by a psychiatrist, she had some issues of depression…. Probably it is because her liberty is somehow curtailed,” he added on Ong, who was cited in contempt thrice.
Also lifted is the contempt order on Yang, who is currently confined at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Taguig City due to a lung condition that was diagnosed last September.
The House Quad Com also release Laraga from its custody despite him filing a petition before the Supreme Court to question the committee’s mandate.
Meanwhile, Paduano cited former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Wilkins Villanueva in contempt over his alleged refusal to answer questions from lawmakers.
Villanueva has repeatedly denied during Thursday’s hearing his involvement in the alleged warrantless arrest of Jed Sy, wife of drug personality Allan Sy, around two decades ago.
Antipolo lawmaker Romeo Acop, however, amended Paduano’s motion by stating that the contempt and accompanying detention order against Villanueva will only be implemented once the QuadComm probe resumes on January 13 next year “in the spirit of Christmas.”/PN
