CONTEMPT ORDERS VS ALICE GUO ET AL LIFTED
THE House Quad Committee has lifted the contempt orders against Alice Guo, Cassandra Ong, Tony Yang and Police Major Leo Laraga.
Before the committee suspended its investigation into illegal operations of Philippine Offshore and Gaming Operators (POGO), it all approved all motions for the lifting of contempt orders.
In his motion, Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano said Guo, the former Bamban Tarlac Mayor, is already detained because of pending cases filed against her and therefore no need for the House to contempt her.
On Ong’s case, Paduano moved to lift the contempt order due to her medical condition.
Ong who filed a motion to lift the contempt and detention orders on her as she is sick and cannot be detained at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW). Doctors of the CIW and the House confirmed that she is not fit to attend and withstand the congressional hearings;
Both Guo and Ong were cited in contempt for their refusal to answer questions of the lawmakers regarding operations of POGO.
Meanwhile, Yang, the brother of Michael Yang, was reportedly sick Yang is detained under the custody of the Philippine Anti Organized Crime Commission. He is sick and currently confined at the St. Luke’s Medical Hospital in Taguig.
On the other hand, Laraga is under the custody of the Quezon City Jail.
Paduano moved to lift the contempt order against Laraga “in the spirit of Christmas.”
The solon advised the police major to consult with his lawyers regarding a motion for certiorari he had filed with the Supreme Court.
The police officer was cited in contempt in October for allegedly failing to give truthful answers regarding the serving of a search warrant against former Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa.
He was one of the police officers who served said warrant against Espinosa, which led to a firefight and his death, while he was detained for drug-related charges in 2016.
