Ex-mayor Tumang cited in contempt for 'lying' on ties with POGO incorporator

The House Quad Committee (QuadComm) has cited former Mexico, Pampanga mayor Teddy Tumang in contempt for alleged lying during the inquiry on the drug war during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Tumang was ordered detained in Batasang Pambansa until the QuadComm terminates its inquiry.

The motion was made by Abang Lingkod party-list lawmaker Stephen Paduano who repeatedly said Tumang was lying when he claimed that he did not personally know a certain Aedy Yang, a Chinese citizen who is an incorporator of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator firm Empire 999 located in Mexico, Pampanga.

Back in September 2023, authorities seized P3.6 billion worth of drugs in  a warehouse owned by a certain Willie Ong in Mexico Pampanga. Based on Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency records, Ong and Aedy Yang are incorporators of Empire 999.

Tumang tried to reason out by saying that he only met Ong twice, and first met Yang in Fujian, China before meeting him subsequently since Yang wants to buy land in Mexico, Pampanga.

The House QuadComm, however, was firm since Tumang was given many chances to clarify his answers if he indeed knew Yang.

Tumang then shouted, “Hindi po ako nagsisinungaling, your Honor!”

[I am not lying, your honor.]

This prompted the QuadComm to adopt Paduano’s motion to cite Tumang in contempt.

Batangas lawmaker Gerville Luistro then resumed questioning Tumang on his ties with Yang, but Tumang shortly asked to be excused since he was feeling ill.

“Hindi ko na po ma-elaborate your honor [iyong mga sagot ko], masama na po ang pakiramdam ko,” Tumang said.

[I cannot elaborate your honor ... I am not feeling well.]

He was then excused from the probe.

— RSJ, GMA Integrated News