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Senate panel releases ex-PDEA agent Morales

Philippines | National

Senate panel releases ex-PDEA agent Morales

By Dhel Nazario

A Senate panel has released from detention Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Jonathan Morales and former National Police Commission (Napolcom) employee Eric "Pikoy" Santiago who were both cited in contempt for lying.

The two were released ahead of Congress’ sine die adjournment on Friday, May 24. According to Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Roberto Ancan, both Morales and Santiago were released on Thursday, May 23.

According to Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, he received a call from President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa who requested to release two since they are already on recess.

Yet the senators have yet to confirm if they were released out of human consideration or if the contempt order against them was lifted.

It was Estrada who cited Morales in contempt for "continuously lying" during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on the so-called "PDEA leaks" hearing concerning the alleged leak of confidential documents from the agency.

According to the senator, he was giving Morales a chance to redeem himself and to establish his credibility as a resource person.

Before Morales, Dela Rosa also cited in contempt Santiago, another resource person, a former Napolcom employee for lying.

Dela Rosa has decided not to wrap up the yet Semate panel's hearing to wait for the statement of Indian businessman James Kumar, who could not attend the hearing due to health complications.

Related Tags

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Senator Ronald Bato dela Rosa Senator Jinggoy Estrada pdea leaks Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero

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