Bauan, Batangas Mayor Ryanh Dolor (center) gets served his arrest order from the House of Representatives (Contributed photo)

The House of Representatives confirmed on Thursday morning, March 27 that it has detained Bauan, Batangas Mayor Ryanh Dolor on the strength of a contempt citation issued by a House panel shortly after the official arrived from the United States (US).

House Sergeant-at-Arms retired police Major General Napoleon “Nap” Taas said Dolor, 45 was taken into custody upon arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City at around 12:08 a.m. on March 27.

The contempt citation--which stemmed from his repeated absences in House hearings--was signed on March 17 by Committee on Public Accounts Chairman Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano. 

The contempt citation came with an arrest order, which was implemented at NAIA by the Office of the House Sergeant-at-Arms, with coordination from the House of Representatives Liaison Officer, Airport Police, Criminal Investigation and Detection Office (CIDG), and the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Dolor arrived via Philippine Airlines flight PR 113 from Los Angeles, California, which landed at 11:34 p.m. on March 26. 

He is vying for the vice governor's seat in Batangas in the upcoming May polls.

The public accounts panel cited Dolor for contempt over his repeated absences in the inquiry on the privatization of the Bauan Waterworks System (BWS) despite multiple summons and notices.

Dolor violated Section 11, Paragraph A of the House Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation, which pertains to refusal without legal excuse to obey summons. 

The panel said it had issued three invitations, one show cause order and a subpoena before taking action. 

Dolor’s office submitted a travel authority signed by Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, which allowed him to travel to the US from March 11 to 26, purportedly for medical reasons.

But lawmakers questioned the lack of medical records or specific justification on the excuse letter. 

Bukidnon 2nd district Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores raised during a previous hearing that Dolor’s extended travel authority coincided suspiciously with the dates of the panel’s scheduled hearings. 

Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop also noted that Dolor was abroad at the same time as Aquadata President Joseph Yu and Vice President Jonathan Yu, who were likewise cited for contempt and ordered detained by the House panel.

HAVE YOU READ THIS?

https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/16/house-young-guns-eye-probe-on-alleged-funds-misuse-in-bauan-batangas

The investigation stems from House Resolution (HR) No. 2148 authored by House Deputy Majority Leader La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V. The measure seeks an inquiry into the alleged misuse of public funds and irregularities in the Bauan local government’s dealings with Aquadata Inc.

According to the Commission on Audit (CoA), the contract between the municipality and Aquadata allegedly lacked legal and financial basis, and the company failed to meet prequalification criteria. 

Despite this, Bauan entered into a holdover agreement with the firm, allegedly prolonging losses even after the contract’s termination.

Dolor will remain under House detention until the termination of the committee’s hearings, as ordered by the panel.