The House Quad Committee (QuadComm) has cited former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Wilkins Villanueva in contempt over his alleged refusal to answer questions from lawmakers.
Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano made the motion after Villanueva repeatedly denied his involvement in the alleged warrantless arrest of Jed Sy, wife of drug personality Allan Sy, around two decades ago.
“You are lying! You are not respecting this committee!,” Paduano said during the House QuadComm probe on the war on drugs waged by the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Villanueva, who assumed the PDEA role in 2020, responded, “I am not lying, your honor.”
In addition, Villanueva said he does not recall arresting Sy but he remembers her being questioned at the PDEA office in the aftermath of a December 2004 PDEA raid of a shabu lab in Dumoy, Davao City.
“Hindi ko po maalala na kinausap ko siya. Nasa opisina po siya [ng PDEA],” Villanueva added.
(I do not recall talking to her. She was at the PDEA office.)
Paduano, however, was not convinced with Villanueva’s answer and again asked the former PDEA official if he was lying.
Villanueva answered in the negative, prompting Paduano to cite him in contempt.
Antipolo Representative and retired police official Romeo Acop amended Paduano’s motion by stating that the contempt and accompanying detention order against Villanueva will only be implemented once the QuadComm probe resumes on January 13 next year “in the spirit of Christmas”.
The QuadComm approved the amended contempt order for Villanueva.—RF, GMA Integrated News
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