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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House detainees in 'hoarding' probe climb to 3

House detainees in 'hoarding' probe climb to 3

Published Mar 14, 2023 02:05 am
The House of Representatives is now holding in detention three people who had been cited in contempt in the ongoing inquiry on agricultural hoarding and price manipulation. This was confirmed to House reporters Tuesday morning, March 14 by Quezon 1st district Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga. Enverga chairs the Committee on Agriculture and Food, which for the past month has been holding public hearings on the issue. According to him, ARGO Trading President and General Manager Efren Zoleta Jr. and lawyer Jan Ryan Cruz are now in the custody of the legislative chamber. "Yes they have voluntarily turned themselves in yesterday (Monday) at around 2 p.m. and are in custodial center," Enverga said. Zoleta, Cruz and ARGO Operation Manager John Patrick Sevilla were all cited for contempt during the committee's last hearing on March 7. "The Committee on Agriculture has voted to cite the three in contempt and ordered them detained for 10 days for refusal to cooperate and turn over documents crucial in the investigation. Acting on the committee’s request, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has signed an arrest order for Zoleta and Atty. Cruz after they failed to attend the last committee hearing," Enverga said in a subsequent statement released past noon Tuesday.
"I take this opportunity to reiterate the warning of our Speaker: We will not hesitate to use the full powers of the House of Representatives to ferret out who were behind the price manipulation of onion and other agricultural products," the statement read. "If need be, we will effect the arrest of those who refuse to cooperate with our investigation. Ipakukulong din po namin ang mga magtatangkang magsinungaling sa aming mga hearing (We will also detain those who will attempt to peddle lies in our hearings)," it further read.


Sevilla, who was the only person among the three who physically attended the hearing, has been held the House custodial center eversince that day. Enverga penalized him with a 10-day detention. The panel chairman confirmed that Zoleta and Cruz would also be slapped with 10-days of detention each. He said the penalty started Monday, after the two surrendered. SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta was the solon who motioned to have the Argo trio cited for contempt. He particularly castigated Sevilla for allegedly making fools out of the congressmen by not giving truthful answers to their questions on the issue, which has been linked to the price surge of onions. Zoleta and Cruz didn't even bother to attend. Sevilla was immediately escorted to the custodial center after Enverga carried Marcoleta's motion.

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