The House Quad Committee conditionally lifted the contempt order issued against former Mexico, Pampanga mayor Teddy Tumang due to humanitarian and medical reasons.
During the House hearing on Wednesday, the mega panel received a copy of Tumang’s motion for reconsideration concerning his contempt order. Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano read the former mayor’s motion of reconsideration, quoting the submitted letter. Tumang expressed his “most profound apologies" for his actions during his interpellation.
“I express my most profound apologies for any conduct that may have been perceived by this honorable committee to be non-cooperative and disrespectful, and I affirm my commitment once again to help this Honorable committee in all hearings, proceedings, and investigations,” Tumang’s letter read.
“With that, I humbly beg the compassion and the indulgence to lift the order of contempt, for I have no willful intent to refuse to answer the inquiries,” it added.
During the hearing, the House physician made it known that Tumang’s blood pressure was not good, as he was also suffering from diabetes. Paduano, who moved to cite Tumang in contempt, appealed to the Committee to reconsider his previous motion. However, he clarified that his motion would be “conditional” and that Tumang is required to attend the next hearing, adding that he provides truthful answers.
“Before I move Mr. Chairman to lift, I just want to make it clear Mr. Chairman that conditional po ang lifting natin, my motion will be conditional, that in the next hearing, Mr. Tumang should be present, and at the same time, he will truthfully answer all the questions that will be raised by this Committee,” Paduano clarified.
A contempt order was issued against the former Mexico, Pampanga mayor after he denied his ties with Chinese nationals Willie Ong and Aedy Tai Yang. During Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro’s interpellation, Tumang mentioned that he only met the two foreigners at the municipal hall after the latter inquired about land acquisition.
Paduano interjected and told Tumang that he could prove that Tumang knew the two foreigners, stating that the latter was invited to China and represented his town in his travel with Yang.
This was not the first time that Tumang was cited in contempt. During the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs hearing on November 15, Tumang was ordered detained for mentioning details of an executive session.
The former mayor was dragged into controversy after details linked to the warehouse owned by his brother were discovered to be owned by the Empire 999 Realty Corporation.
