House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

What do pro-Duterte vloggers Allan Troy “Sass” Rogando Sasot, Mark Anthony Lopez, Lorraine Marie Tablang Badoy-Partosa, and Jeffrey Almendras Celiz all have in common? 

Answer: a contempt citation each from the House tri-committee (tri-comm), after they once again failed to attend the special joint panel's hearing Tuesday, April 8 on the spread of fake news online. 

The first three were absent despite multiple summons; while Lopez, who attended a previous hearing, was cited for publicly assailing the tri-comm. 

Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen “Caraps” Paduano was the one who made the motions against the controversial quartet. 

The contempt citation comes with an arrest order. Once caught, Sasot, Badoy, and Celiz will be detained within the House of Representatives until the inquiry is terminated. 

“Mr. Jeffrey Celiz, Ms. Badoy,’and Ms. Sasot violates section 11 paragraph A, may I respectfully move that the three mentioned name be detained until the committee hearing will be terminated and be detained in the premises of the House,” Paduano said. 

Lopez, on the other hand, was ordered detained for 10 days, also at the House. 

“Mr. Chairman, for the second motion, in the case of Mr. Mark Anthony Lopez under our rules in violation of letter F is only maximum of 10 days,” he said. 

Both motions were promptly carried by presiding chairman Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel after none of the attending solons objected to them. 

Paduano earlier cited Lopez for violating internal rules on undue interference in congressional inquiries. 

“Mr. Chairman, with this blog made by Mr. Mark Lopez, Mr. Chairman, this is in violation of once again section 11 paragraph F of our internal rules, undue interference during the proceedings, Mr. Chairman, or committee investigation,” he said. 

He quoted portions of Lopez’s blog, which he said sought to discredit the panel. 

“It was blatantly used that there was a concerted effort to humiliate us and bring us down on our knees. Even mainstream media are gleefully celebrating and pouncing on our forced breakdown and takedown in tri-comm hearing,” Paduano quoted Lopez. 

Paduano said Lopez had been warned during the previous hearing. “Mr. Chairman, I already warned all those resource persons that be cautious not to issue statements maligning, attacking the ongoing investigation.” 

The tri-comm is composed of the House Committees on Public Information, Public Order and Safety, and Information and Communications Technology.