THE House Quad Committee (QuadComm) has cited former Mexico, Pampanga mayor Teddy Tumang in contempt for allegedly lying during the inquiry into the drug war under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
Tumang was ordered detained at the Batasang Pambansa until the QuadComm concludes its investigation.
The motion for contempt was filed by Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Stephen Paduano, who argued that Tumang lied when he denied knowing Aedy Yang, a Chinese national and incorporator of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm Empire 999, which is based in Mexico, Pampanga.
In September 2023, authorities seized P3.6 billion worth of illegal drugs from a warehouse owned by Willie Ong in Mexico, Pampanga.
Records from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) indicated that Ong and Aedy Yang were incorporators of Empire 999.
Tumang attempted to explain that he had only met Ong twice and that he initially met Yang in Fujian, China, before subsequent meetings in Pampanga, where Yang expressed interest in purchasing land.
However, the QuadComm remained unconvinced, stating that Tumang had been given ample opportunity to clarify his relationship with Yang.
Tumang responded angrily, shouting, “I am not lying, your Honor!”
This led the QuadComm to adopt Paduano’s motion to hold Tumang in contempt.
Batangas Representative Gerville Luistro resumed questioning Tumang about his connections to Yang, but Tumang requested to be excused, citing illness.
“I cannot elaborate, your honor… I am not feeling well.”, Tumang said.
Tumang was then excused from the session.