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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Xmas spirit: House panel releases ex-Pampanga town mayor from detention 

Xmas spirit: House panel releases ex-Pampanga town mayor from detention 

Published Dec 6, 2023 08:26 am

At A Glance

  • In the spirit of the Christmas season, the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs decided Wednesday morning, Dec. 6, to release from detention former Mexico, Pampanga mayor Teddy Tumang, who had earlier been cited for contempt. 

IMG-5f65dbf0d93cbe74e3e98f132c3fc9b5-V.jpgHouse of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)



In the spirit of the Christmas season, the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs decided Wednesday morning, Dec. 6, to release from detention former Mexico, Pampanga mayor Teddy Tumang, who had earlier been cited for contempt.

Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. made the motion to free Tumang, his "Kabalen" (fellow Pampanga native).

“Mr. Chairman, may I move that the committee temporarily release Mayor Tumang, who is my Kabalen and kumpare (compadre), so he could be with his family during the coming Christmas and New Year holidays,” Gonzales told the panel chaired by Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers.

Tumang was cited in contempt by the committee last Nov. 15 for revealing during a press briefing information taken up in an executive session concerning the panel’s inquiry on illegal drugs.

Under Section 7 of the House’s rules, such revelation is prohibited.

The former mayor was a resource person in the House panel’s probe on the confiscation of 560 kilos or P3.6 billion worth of illegal drugs inside a warehouse in San Jose Malino village, Mexico town.

Gonzales said that Tumang's release will allow the latter to attend the wedding of one of his children and to recover from Covid-19. He contracted the diseass during his detention at House premises.

“He should just isolate himself at home until he recovers,” he said.

Barbers, the committee chairman, informed the panel that he received a letter from Tumang apologizing for the revelations he made about theclosed-door session. The ex-mayor also requested that his 30-day detention be reduced.

“He has already served 15 days in detention. We will take up his request for a reduced confinement period when he reports back on Jan. 22,” noted Barbers, referring to the resumption of sessions next year.

The House will be on holiday break from Dec. 16, 2023 to Jan. 21, 2024.

A former town hall aide of Tumang, Roy Gomez, has also been cited for contempt and detained by another panel, the Committee on Public Accounts. --Dexter Barro II

Related Tags

Robert Ace Barbers Teddy Tumang aurelio dong gonzales
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