Lacson warns contempt vs Lao if he skips another Senate probe

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. Screen grab / Senate PRIB file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson said Saturday he plans to cite in contempt Lloyd Christopher Lao, former executive director of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM), if the latter would still not attend the next Senate hearing on the government’s pandemic purchases.

Lacson noted that Lao is not covered by the memorandum order issued by President Rodrigo Duterte that prohibits Cabinet members from attending the Senate blue ribbon committee’s inquiry into the Department of Health’s purchase of allegedly overpriced medical supplies through the PS-DBM.

“Pati nga si Christopher Lao, nakaligtaan ko lang na i-pa-cite for contempt [in the last hearing] kasi hindi naman siya kawani na ng pamahalaan, pero wala na rin, hindi na rin uma-attend. I think pangalawang pagdinig na ‘yung nakaraan na wala siya. Parang nang-iinsulto na,” Lacson told DWIZ.

(I forgot to cite Lao in contempt in the last hearing. He is no longer a government official but he no longer attends the hearing. I think it was his second time to be absent. It seems he is insulting us.)

“Bakit wala si Christopher Lao eh hindi naman siya saklaw ng memorandum order? Pangalawang pagdinig na ‘yun na hindi siya sumisipot. Dapat talaga macontempt na siya para mapilitan siyang sumipot at magtestify,” he added.

(Why is Christopher Lao absent when he is not covered by the memorandum order? It was his second time to be absent. He should be cited in contempt so he will be forced to appear and testify.)

Asked if he will cite Lao in contempt if the latter still fails to show up in the next hearing, Lacson said: “Tama iyon. Ganoon ang gagawin ko [That’s right. That’s what I will do].”

Duterte earlier formally prohibited his Cabinet officials from attending the Senate investigation, saying he “cannot allow blatant disrespect of resource persons at the ongoing hearing.” He said he was not against the investigation, but stressed that his officials dealing with the pandemic should no longer be involved.

Lacson earlier said the Senate will soon file a petition to the Supreme Court objecting to the memorandum order.

JPV