Senate panel cites Lao in contempt
FORMER Budget Undersecretary Christopher Lloyd Lao was cited in contempt after he skipped another hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the government’s procurement of alleged overpriced medical supplies.
During yesterday’s hearing, Senator Francis Pangilinan moved to cite Lao in contempt.
“May I ask whether you want to already issue an order of contempt or a show cause to Mr. Lao who has not been attending, thinking he’s still a member of the Cabinet?” Senator Richard Gordon asked Pangilinan.
Senator Risa Hontiveros seconded the motion.
“I don’t think we need to ask for a show-cause order to him why he should not be declared in contempt and we are now issuing that order,” Gordon said.
The chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee further stressed that Lao is no longer a government official and was not covered by President Rodrigo Duterte’s order barring Executive department officials and employees from attending the hearings.
“Wala ka na po sa gobyerno, kailangan humarap ka rito,” he said.
It can be recalled that Senator Panfilo Lacson previously said he will file a contempt motion against Lao if he will not attend the present hearing.
He had also recommended graft charges against Lao for allowing Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation to bag huge contracts despite its lack of financial capacity.
The blue ribbon panel is looking into the transfer of P42 billion COVID-19 funds from the Department of Health to the Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service.