Senate President Francis Escudero. (File photo)
MANILA – Lawmakers are using their contempt power only when needed, Senate President Francis Escudero said Wednesday.
“It is being used with absolute discretion and is not being used very lightly, only in cases that it is really necessary,” Escudero told Palace reporters, when asked to react to claims that members of Congress are abusing their power to cite resource persons in contempt.
He said lawmakers may also release the resource persons cited in contempt for “humanitarian considerations,” citing the case of dismissed Philippine Drug Enforcement Agent Jonathan Morales who was released from Senate custody in March this year in time for the Senate’s session break and considering his health condition and age.
Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, legal counsel for Whirlwind Corporation stakeholder Cassandra Ong, accused the House of Representatives’ Quad Committee (Quadcom) of abusing the contempt power of the legislature, after using it against his client.
The Quadcom on Aug. 29 cited Ong in contempt for her refusal to answer the lawmakers’ questions directly. The motion to cite her for contempt was eventually lifted before the end of the hearing as she decided to cooperate.
Apart from Ong, the Quadcom also cited former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Aug. 22 in contempt for allegedly lying over his absence in the Aug. 16 congressional inquiry.
Another contempt citation was issued against Roque on Sept. 13 for his refusal to submit documents that would justify his increased wealth.
On Sept. 19, the panel also cited former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo because of her evasive answers. (PNA)
