Batangas mayor cited for contempt detained upon arrival from US

Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 | REUTERS FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines —  Bauan, Batangas Mayor Ryanh Dolor, who was cited for contempt and ordered detained by a House panel for repeated absence in its hearings, is now detained at the lower chamber’s premises. He was apprehended shortly after arriving in the country from the United States early Thursday morning.

The House committee on public accounts issued the contempt order on March 17 during a hearing on alleged misuse of public funds and irregularities in the Bauan municipal government.

“House Sergeant-at-Arms retired police Major General Napoleon “Nap” C. Taas confirmed the detention of Bauan Mayor Ryanh Dolor, who was taken into custody upon arrival at NAIA Terminal 1 in Pasay City at around 12:08 a.m. on March 27,” the panel said in a statement on Thursday.

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“The arrest was carried out between 12:08 a.m. and 12:20 a.m. by a joint team led by the Office of the House Sergeant-at-Arms, with coordination from the House of Representatives Liaison Officer, Airport Police, Criminal Investigation and Detection Office, and the Bureau of Immigration,” it added.

According to the panel, it issued three invitations, one show cause order, and a subpoena.

But during the last hearing, Dolor’s office only submitted a travel authority signed by Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas, allowing him to travel to the United States from March 11 to 26, citing medical reasons.

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But Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores earlier noted the lack of medical records to justify his absence.

The investigation stemmed from House Resolution 2148, which seeks to conduct a probe into the alleged misuse of public funds and irregularities in the Bauan local government’s dealings with Aquadata Inc., a water utility provider in the municipality.

Citing the Commission on Audit, the panel said the contract between the municipal government and Aquadata “allegedly lacked legal and financial basis, and the company failed to meet prequalification criteria.”