Farmers’ ‘broker’ faces contempt over absence in Senate probe on rice smuggling

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – A certain Elizabeth Faustino, an alleged broker or handler of farmers’ organizations and  cooperatives, was cited in “conditional contempt”  by the Senate committee on agriculture and food on Tuesday.

The committee headed by Senator Cynthia Villar also directed the Bureau of Immigration to place Faustino under its watchlist.

The Senate’s doctors were likewise directed by the committee to visit Faustino to check her health condition.

“If we find no reason for her not to appear (in the hearing), then we will arrest her,”’ Villar said.

Faustino has repeatedly failed to attend the Senate investigation despite summons by the committee on agriculture.

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