QuadComm lifts contempt orders vs. Alice Guo, Cassandra Ong, Michael Yang, Laraga

The House Quad Committee (QuadComm) has lifted its contempt orders against Alice Guo, Cassandra Ong, Tony Yang, and Police Major Leo Laraga.

Before the joint committee suspended its investigation into illegal POGO activities and the war on drugs, it approved all the motions for the lifting of the contempt orders after they were all seconded and no member objected.

The contempt order against Guo, the former Bamban Mayor also known as Guo Hua Ping, was lifted because after Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano said she was already detained due to an active criminal case.

“Since Alice Guo is now detained by virtue of the court order, I move that we now lift the contempt order versus Guo Hua Ping alias Alice Guo,” Paduano said.

It was also Paduano who moved for the lifting of the contempt orders against Ong, Yang, and Laraga.

Guo was cited in contempt by the QuadComm in September over her refusal to answer questions.

Paduano's motion to lift the contempt and detention order against Ong was made because of her medical condition.

“She is sick. She is currently detained at the Correctional Institution for Women and the doctors of the CIW and the House of Representatives confirm that she is not fit to attend and withstand the congressional hearings,” Paduano said.

Ong was the documented representative of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm Lucky South 99.

She received contempt orders in August, and again in September, for refusing to answer questions during the hearings.

A similar motion was filed and carried for Yang.

According to Paduano, Yang is currently sick and confined at a hospital in Taguig with a doctor’s certificate.

He was cited in contempt and detained by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) in September for allegedly lying during the hearing.

Paduano moved to lift the contempt order against Laraga in October “in the spirit of Christmas.”

He advised the police major to consult with his lawyers regarding a motion for certiorari he had filed with the Supreme Court.

Laraga was cited in contempt in October for allegedly failing to give truthful answers regarding the serving of a search warrant against former Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa.

He was one of the police officers who served said warrant against Espinosa, which led to a firefight and his death, while he was detained for drug-related charges in 2016. —NB, GMA Integrated News