House committee questions deals in Pampanga LGU

THE House Committee on Public Accounts has subpoenaed three suppliers of the municipal government of Mexico in Pampanga in connection with its inquiry into the P149-million worth of allegedly anomalous deals entered into by the town under Mayor Teddy Tumang.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano of Abang Lingkod Party-list, issued the subpoenas on Wednesday.

Subpoenaed were Aedy Tai Yang, Rizalito Dizon, and Roberto Tugade. The summonses were issued upon motion of Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, seconded by Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. Yang, Dizon, and Tugade have consistently failed to appear in committee hearings despite repeated invitations. Dizon and Tugade were equipment and medicine suppliers. In the case of Yang, the committee has learned that he sold a one-hectare lot to the Mexico municipal government for P29.5 million, or P2,950 per square meter.

In a letter to Paduano dated last Aug. 2, Yang said he could not attend the inquiry that day due to “previous commitments.”

“Rest assured, if my presence is required in succeeding committee hearings, I am more willing to attend the same,” he said.

However, he did not show up in Wednesday’s hearing despite the committee’s invitation.

Paduano asked the provincial command of the Philippine National Police in Pampanga to help locate the three wanted witnesses.

Yang’s lot, along with another 1.8-hectare parcel owned by couple Arnel and Sonia Pangilinan, was to be the site of the new municipal town hall and convention center in Barangay San Antonio.

DOJ clears policemen in activist’s killing

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has affirmed the dismissal of the murder complaint against 17 policemen for the death on March

7, 2021, of activist Emmanuel “Manny” Asuncion.

The DOJ’s panel of prosecutors denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the wife of Asuncion, who was one of nine activists who died during the joint operation of law enforcers in Southern Tagalog provinces to ferret out alleged members and supporters of communist terrorist groups (CTGs).

Affirmed was the dismissal of the complaint against PLt. Elbert M. Santos. PLt.

Shay Jed Sapitula, PSMS Hector R. Cardinales, PMSgt. Ariel P. Dela Cruz, PSSg. Joemark Sajul, PCpl. Ernie A. Ambuyoc, PCCpl. Mark John A. Defiesta, PCpl. Arjay Garcia,

PCpl. Caidar Dimacangun, PCpl. Bryan Sanchez, PCpl, Ericson Lucido, Pat. Jayson Maala, Pat. Juanito Plite, Pat. Jonathan Tatel, Pat. Prince Benjamin Torres, Pat. Jaime Turingan, and Pat. Rey PJ Dacara Lopera.

“While the motion for reconsideration attached documents that were not part of the initial complaint, it cannot be considered as newly discovered evidence that would warrant a reversal or modification of the assailed Resolution. It appears that these documents were already available and in existence at the time of the filing of the complaint, hence, it is suspicious why they were not submitted before the Panel as part of the complainant’s evidence. This belated submission at this stage of the proceedings has no material bearing anymore,” it added.