Lim brothers to snub next House hearing?

CEBU CITY — Controversial businessman Peter Go Lim and his brother Wellington may not show up in the next hearing of the House committee on dangerous drugs on Nov. 6.

Oliveros Kintanar, legal counsel of the Lims, said it would be useless for his clients to attend the congressional inquiry on Tuesday if they are not given the opportunity to speak out and defend themselves. "We don’t want our clients to be subjected to harassment, embarrassment and mockery," Kintanar said.

During the hearing by the committee headed by Cebu City south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco on Oct. 19, two of Peter Lim’s former employees, Ananias Dy and Bernard Liu, testified that aside from their illegal drug trade, the Lims also used dummies in the operation of their five nightclubs in the city. Kintanar said not attending the congressional inquiry would give them an opportunity to study their legal moves.

He added that the committee could not compel his clients to attend the next hearing because it merely sent an invitation. Although the committee can issue a warrant of arrest to compel attendance during the hearing, that needs the approval of the Speaker, Kintanar said.

Earlier, Peter Lim reported to the Mabolo police station a caller who warned him that authorities might plant evidence against him.

Kintanar said they will only agree to a polygraph test if it is conducted by independent experts.— Freeman News Service