House subpoenas Imee Marcos

THE HOUSE committee on good government and public accountability has subpoenaed Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos for her to attend a hearing scheduled on July 25 on the alleged misuse of the province’s tobacco funds.

Congress resumes session the previous day, to be opened by President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address.

“You are hereby directed to appear before the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability of the House of Representatives to testify under oath relative to the subject matter under inquiry on the Committee Hearing scheduled on July 25, 2017, 9:30 a.m. at the Conference Room 1 and 2 Ramon Mitra Building, House of Representatives, Batasan Pambansa Complex, Constitution Hills, Quezon City,” the subpoena read.

The House panel, chaired by Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny T. Pimentel, is conducting a congressional probe on the alleged irregularities on the purchase of minicabs, buses and trucks amounting to P66.45 million using the province’s tobacco excise tax-collection share.

The probe was initiated by House Resolution 882, filed by Majority Leader Rodolfo C. Fariñas, seeking to probe the alleged anomalous transactions.

The rivalry between the Marcoses and Mr. Fariñas and his family is a well-known facet of Ilocos politics, deviating from the Marcos era when he counted among the leading supporters of the Marcoses.

“Failure to comply with this order is subject to penalty under the law,” the subpoena further read.

Meanwhile, the six Ilocos Norte government officials detained at the House of Representatives have remained in that complex since May 29, after they were cited in contempt for giving “dismissive answers” during the previous hearings.

The subpoena was signed by Mr. Pimentel and House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez. —