Quad comm cites ex-mayor Tumang for contempt anew for lying

Former Pampanga town mayor Teddy Tumang. (FILE) Photo from Municipality of Mexico Pampanga/FACEBOOK

MANILA, Philippines — Former Mexico, Pampanga town mayor Teddy Tumang has been cited for contempt again, this time by the House of Representatives’ quad committee, for lying about not knowing Willie Ong and Aedy Yang.

At the twelfth hearing of the quad committee held on Wednesday, Tumang was asked by Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro  if he personally knew Ong and Yang — two Chinese individuals said to be owners of the warehouse in Mexico where the P3.6 billion worth of shabu was delivered last October 2023.

Tumang replied that he did not know Ong and Yang, and that he only met them in the municipal hall.  However, Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano interjected, saying that he has proof that Tumang knew the two Chinese nationals.

“You’re lying.  Mayor Tumang, you said you personally did not know Willie Ong and Aedy Yang.  You don’t know Aedy Yang?” Paduano asked in Filipino.

“I knew him when he went to the municipal hall, they introduced themselves, your honor,” Tumang said in Filipino.

“Sandali, sa munisipyo lang ba (Wait, only inside the municipal hall)?” Paduano asked again.

“Yes po your Honor,” Tumang replied.

Paduano however said that he has proof that Tumang actually went to China with Yang, which Tumang eventually confirmed.

“You’re lying, weren’t you invited to China?  And you were with Aedy Yang?” Paduano asked in Filipino.

“Yes po your Honor,” Tumang replied.

“Oh now you’re telling me that it was just in the municipal hall?  Don’t lie.  You’re lying!  Ano’ng hindi, may mga picture kayo abroad, you were invited and you represented Mexico, Pampanga in that travel with Aedy Yang.  And that’s Aedy Yang that introduced all of you […] to the Ambassador,” Paduano noted.

The answers from Tumang led Paduano to move that the former mayor be cited for contempt.  After it was seconded by Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop, the motion was approved by lead presiding officer and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers.

This is not the first time that a House panel cited Tumang for contempt.  Last November 15, the House committee on dangerous drugs — one of the panels that formed part of the quad committee — ordered Tumang’s detention for mentioning details of an executive session.

READ: Solons order detention of ex-mayor Tumang for violation of House rules

The executive session was about the two drug busts conducted in Pampanga last August and September 2023, which was the subject of the panel’s investigation.

In the video uploaded on Facebook, Tumang said Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. supposedly asked the National Bureau of Investigation agents if the former mayor was really involved in the drug issue.

Tumang then asked lawmakers not to drag him into the issue and keep politics aside.

READ: Ex-Pampanga mayor may be cited in contempt for leaking executive session talks 

Tumang was first dragged into the drug controversy after it was revealed that the Mexico warehouse where the P3.6 billion shabu was delivered was built on land once owned by his brother.  The warehouse eventually was discovered to be owned by Empire 999 Realty Corporation, which had Ong and Yang as incorporators.

READ: House panel orders Pampanga warehouse owner to attend probe on drug case 

Tumang, however, denied knowing about the drug operations and having involvement in the illegal activities.