HOUSE Committee on Public Accounts Chairman Joseph Stephen “Caraps” Paduano of Abang Lingkod Party-list has issued a stern warning to pro-Duterte vloggers and influencers who snubbed last Friday’s House hearing on fake news and online disinformation, cautioning them not to test the patience of the Tri-Committee.
“Just to remind everyone… resource persons and that include all those resource persons who are present in today’s (Friday) hearing and maybe they’re monitoring this hearing, let me remind everyone that please don’t force us to cite you in contempt,” Paduano said.
The next hearing is tentatively set for April 8, subject to changes.
The joint hearing of the Committees on Public Information, on Public Order and Safety and on Information and Communications Technology confirmed that subpoenas will be issued to 24 personalities who failed to appear despite receiving show-cause orders.
Among those who failed to attend and are now facing subpoenas are prominent pro-Duterte influencers and bloggers Lorraine Marie Tablang Badoy-Partosa, Jeffrey Almendras Çeliz and Allan Troy “Sass” Rogando Sasot.
The Tri-Comm also ordered to issue subpoena against Alex Distor, Alvin L. Mortero, Claire Eden Contreras, Claro Ganac, Cyrus Priglo, Darwin Salceda, Edwin Jamora, Elmer Jugalbot, Ernesto S. Abines Jr., Atty. Glen Chong, Jeffrey G. Cruz, Joe Smith Medina, Jonathan Morales, Julius Melanosi Maui, Kester Ramon John Balibalos Tan, Lord Byron Cristobal, Ma. Florinda Espenilla-Duque, Maricar Serrano, Suzanne Batalla, Mary Catherine Binag and Vivian Zapata Rodriguez.
“Mr. Chairman… may I respectfully move that we issue a subpoena ad testificandum for all those mentioned names by the chairman,” said Paduano during the hearing.
“So move, Mr. Chair.”
The motion was seconded by Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop and subsequently approved by Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, who presided the Tri-Comm hearing.
“The motion is approved and the chair hereby directs the committee secretary to issue subpoenas to the mentioned resource persons,” Pimentel declared.
He added that of the 11 others previously issued subpoenas, only eight attended.
“The following three resource persons did not attend – Badoy, Celiz and Sasot,” Pimentel said.
“May we inform those mentioned that have been issued subpoena that the subpoena is still in effect.”
Former Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles informed the committee that “Ms. Rogando Sasot is in China and she attempted to join today (Friday) as discussed earlier via Zoom, she cannot return to the country.”
Pimentel clarified that Zoom link is exclusively for House members joining the hearing.
Paduano clarified that documentation must still be submitted.
“Let it be clear to the resource persons, especially those not present today (Friday), in regards to the explanation relayed to you by Ms. Badoy… ang mahalaga po dito, Attorney, is the written explanation attached with all the documents that will prove that she is indeed abroad… and the written explanation is valid,” Paduano said.
“As of now, we will accept all those documents that you will submit to the secretariat, but still Ms. Badoy and Ms. Sassot ba ‘yun, should still make a written explanation and submit to the committee before the next hearing,” he added.
Pimentel then reiterated the final warning:
“If those personalities that already received subpoenas will not attend in the next hearing, this committee would be compelled to issue a contempt order,” Pimentel said.
Paduano also cautioned against post-hearing attacks on the committee.
“Just to remind you – Section 11 of our internal rules, Paragraph F – we will not allow discussions or attacking, insulting this committee hearing after the suspension of this hearing because you will be in violation… we will be forced to cite you in contempt (undue interference),” he said.
He added that his committee had already taken such action in the past.
“We have already done that in my committee when a block timer from Cagayan, Bombo Radyo Cagayan, was cited in contempt because after the hearing he attacks the results of the committee hearing. Please be reminded po,” Paduano said.
“If there will be changes in the schedule of the next committee hearing, we will issue notices to all concerned,” Pimentel said.
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