THE House of Representatives Quad Committee (Quad Comm) has lifted the contempt order against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, his wife Mylah, former economic adviser Michael Yang, and others.
The decision was made during the committee’s final hearing into deaths linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs and POGO operations.
Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Stephen Paduano moved to lift the order, citing that the contempt order was contingent upon the completion of the inquiry.
Paduano argued that the committee report marks the conclusion of the legislative inquiry, rendering the contempt order null and void. He referenced the Balad v. Senate case in support of his argument, emphasizing that the power of contempt ceases upon the conclusion of the inquiry, necessitating the release of any detained witnesses.
The Quad Comm issued the contempt order against Roque last year after he refused to provide documentation to justify his increased wealth. Roque is currently seeking asylum in The Hague, Netherlands. The lifting of the contempt order effectively concludes this phase of the investigation.
metrosundaily
