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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider POGO hub exec cited in contempt for lying to congressmen

POGO hub exec cited in contempt for lying to congressmen

Published Aug 8, 2024 08:31 am

At A Glance

  • A House of Representatives joint panel cited in contempt the corporate secretary of Lucky South 99—the raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) facility in Porac, Pampanga—for repeatedly lying and annoying lawmakers in the process.

20240401_182237(1).jpgHouse of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A House of Representatives joint panel cited in contempt the corporate secretary of Lucky South 99—the raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) facility in Porac, Pampanga—for repeatedly lying and annoying lawmakers in the process.

During the inquiry Wednesday, Aug. 7, by the House Committees on Public Order and Safety and Games and Amusement, Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano moved to detain Ronelyn Baterna after her supposed refusal to tell the truth.

“Mr. Chairman just this morning, I have a motion to [cite in] contempt Ms. Baterna, but I held it because we gave her a chance to answer truthfully, when in fact I already explained what is contempt. Tinagalog pa natin, so alam na niya yung consequence nung pagsisinungaling sa hearing na ito (I even said it in Tagalog, so she already knows the consequence of lying in this hearing),” said Paduano.

The lawmaker said Baterna specifically violated Section 11, Paragraph c of the House rules, which states the refusal to answer questions from members of a committee. 

“In short, she is lying, Mr. Chairman,” added Paduano.

Santa Rosa City lone districtt Rep. Dan Fernandez, chairman of the public order and safety panel, ruled in favor of Padano’s motion after hearing no objections from his colleagues. 

It was then ruled that Baterna would be detained for 30 days inside the House’s premises.

Earlier, members of the joint committee spotted the inconsistent answers from Baterna, who was supposedly downplaying her role in Lucky South 99.

Despite her position, Baterna said she didn’t know who the facility’s owners were. She claimed that she was only signing documents when told to do so, and that she didn't know the contents of the documents herself.

As for the claim that she only did things when she was instructed to, House members found it peculiar that the lawyers who accompanied her in the hearing were actually contacted by her.

While Baterna denied it at first, lawyer Joselle Velasco of NFC Miralles Law Office told the panel that they were actually contacted by Lucky South 99.

“As far as I know, as confirmed by our managing partner, it was Ms. Baterna who communicated to our office as the corporate secretary of Lucky South 99, and she also engaged us for our services,” Velasco explained.

Velasco’s law firm was the same firm Lucky South 99 previously tapped to block a search warrant against the POGO hub.

Baterna would appeal to solons to reconsider their decision to detain her, but it was to no avail.

Instead, Paduano said she and her counsel could file a motion for reconsideration addressed to the committee. 

“But of course, it's up to the committee to decide whether your motion will be considered,” he added.

Related Tags

POGO contempt House of Representatives
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