Imee seeks release of Ilocos execs from House detention

MANILA, Philippines - Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos appeared before the Court of Appeals (CA) yesterday to support the bid of six provincial officials to be freed from detention at the House of Representatives.

In an interview prior to the habeas corpus petition hearing, the daughter of the late dictator lamented that the continued detention of the workers violates the law and insinuated that politics may be behind the move.

“Let us not use Congress and most of all our small employees for political agenda,” Marcos told reporters. 

The Fourth Division of the appellate court issued a writ of habeas corpus Friday to require House sergeant-at-arms Roland Detabali to present the six petitioners, who have been detained since May 29 after being cited in contempt by the House committee on good government and public accountability, which is looking into the alleged misuse of P66.45 million in tobacco funds.

It also ordered Detabali to explain why he should not be cited for contempt for failing to comply with the court order.

Detabali again failed to appear at yesterday’s hearing at the CA. He also failed to present the six officials – Pedro Agcaoili, provincial planning and development office chairman; Josephine Calajate, provincial treasurer; Evangeline Tabulog, provincial budget officer; and provincial treasurer’s office workers Eden Battulayan, Encarnacion Gaor and Genedine Jambaro.

Their lawyers, led by Estelito Mendoza, questioned the detention as they argued it was baseless because the petitioners answered questions during the hearing. The CA has set another hearing on the issue on Thursday.

During the House inquiry, Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative and Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas presented documents that bore the signatures of the six officials to authorize the purchase of mini-cabs, secondhand buses and Foton trucks.