• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The congressional inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the procurement process of more than P1 billion infrastructure and other projects of the Silay City government at the House of Representatives yesterday took a twist, after Silay City Legal Officer Atty. Janus Jarder was cited for two counts of contempt by the Committee on Public Accounts, and was ordered detained at the Lower House.
However, while he agrees with his colleagues to cite Jarder for contempt, Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano manifested that the detention of Jarder should start January 6 next year, to allow him to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays with his family.
The manifestation of Paduano was agreed upon and approved by members of the Public Accounts committee.
Paduano, who relinquished presiding over the inquiry to Batangas Rep. Jinky Bitrics Luistro, explained that Jarder was cited twice for contempt for lying and for being evasive in answering questions being asked from him by the committee members.
It all started when Silay City Health Officer Dr. Krishna Barnuevo told members of the committee that they were warned by Jarder during the previous committee hearing not to eat the food being served, as it may have drugs which may serve as a reason for them to be subjected to drug testing.
Jarder and Barnuevo were among the resource speakers during the resumption of the inquiry at the House of Representatives.
Barnuevo said they followed the order of Jarder and never ate the food being served.
Jarder described the claims of Barnuevo against him as “unfair.”
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, who moved to cite Jarder for contempt along with Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, said it was not only an insult to the committee, but to the institution.
Luistro said all of them ate the food served during the previous congressional inquiry.*
