00:00To say the 13th and last hearing of the House Quad Committee for the Year on various issues started and ended with fireworks is seemingly an understatement.
00:08Not only did it begin with a lawmaker firing back at critics, but it was also punctuated with a revelation of a seemingly life-threatening situation against a house so long which the Philippine National Police expressed openness to investigate.
00:22Menelis Moras tells us more.
00:26Do I hear any objections?
00:29Hearing none, the motion is approved.
00:31Former PDEA Chief Wilkins Villanueva was cited in contempt by the House Quad Committee over alleged lying and refusal to answer relevant questions.
00:41During today's hearing of the joint panel, Quadcom Co-Chair Stephen Paduano expressed anger over Villanueva's denial in the alleged warrantless arrest and interrogation of PDL and wife of alleged drug suspect Jed Pilapilsi.
00:55Villanueva insisted he could not recall the incident and was not lying.
00:59However, this only further irritated Paduano.
01:02You're not respecting this committee. Question of command responsibility. Are you not lying?
01:08No, Mr. Chair.
01:09Also, Mr. Chairman, with that, I move to cite in contempt General Wilkins.
01:15I have already given you the answer.
01:19Commonly, contempt is followed by an arrest and detention order, but in the spirit of Christmas, the committee will enforce the order in January after the holiday break.
01:29This decision came from an idea proposed by House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Don Gonzales, Jr.
01:35May I move that the serving of the penalty of contempt will be served when we come back after the holiday season in January.
01:45So move, Mr. Chair.
01:46I believe in the spirit of Christmas and I'm not even a Christian.
01:50So, in the spirit of your forgiveness, decision of forgiveness, I would go with the motion of General Apo.
01:59Earlier, Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo was also cited in contempt and now faces an arrest order for continuous absence in the hearing due to an alleged health problem.
02:08Recently, Grijaldo accused some QUADCOM leaders of allegedly pressuring him to confirm the reward system under the Duterte drug war, a claim that the joint panel has denied.
02:19I think we've given him, what's his name, Colonel Hector Grijaldo enough leeway.
02:25We've been too kind to him and I think it's the right time to make an appropriate motion.
02:33He's going too far.
02:35Melales Moras from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
