HOUSE INQUIRY. House of Representatives Committee on Dangerous Drugs chair Robert Ace Barbers approves a motion to cite former Mexico, Pampanga mayor Teddy Tumang in contempt on Wednesday (Nov. 15, 2023). and have him detained at the Batasan complex for 30 days. Tumang was flagged by the panel for violating Section 7 of the House rules prohibiting the disclosure of information taken up in an executive session of the House or any of its committees. (Photo courtesy of the House Press and Public Affairs Bureau)
MANILA – The House of Representatives Committee on Dangerous Drugs on Wednesday cited in contempt former Mexico, Pampanga mayor Teddy Tumang and ordered him detained at the Batasan complex for 30 days.
During the motu proprio inquiry into the seized or discovered PHP3.6 billion worth of drugs in the province of Pampanga, Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop moved to cite Tumang in contempt for violating Section 7 of the House rules prohibiting the disclosure of information taken up in an executive session of the House or any of its committees.
Section 7 of the House Rules particularly states that “Testimony taken or evidence presented in an executive session, or any summary or excerpt thereof, or documents related thereto, in whole or in part, shall not be made public, unless authorized by a majority vote of the Members present, there being a quorum.”
Committee chair Ace Barbers reported that information discussed during a House executive meeting was disclosed by the former mayor in a press conference held on Oct. 11.
Barbers also pointed out that the accused was not even present at the said meeting, with the latter claiming that his statement was based on second-hand information from an individual who attended the executive session.
Barbers quoted a particular statement the former mayor made: “Meron akong nakausap sa mga nag-iimbestiga, ang nagtatanong dun (sa executive session) isa si Senior Deputy Speaker Dong (Aurelio) Gonzales (Jr.), tinanong sa mga NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), ‘Hindi ba talaga involved si Mayor Tumang diyan?’ Para akong ini-implicate (I talked to someone who was investigating and asking in the executive session. Senior Deputy Speaker Dong Gonzales was asking the NBI, 'Is Mayor Tumang really not involved in the drug issue?' I felt like I was being implicated).”
Tumang, however, was unable to identify his purported source when asked who gave him the information.
Tumang apologized to the lawmakers for conducting the press conference, explaining that he felt “rattled and scared” after learning about the alleged implication and that he was not aware of the House Rules.
Acop emphasized that “ignorance of the law excuses no one.”
Committee members also requested assistance from the Philippine National Police and NBI in locating the whereabouts of one Willy Ong, owner of the Empire 999 warehouse, where the drugs were discovered. (PNA)
