Senators cite Ligots for contempt after 'fake illness'

UPDATED 8:20 P.M. The Senate Blue Ribbon committee has cited former military comptroller Jacinto Ligot and his wife Erlinda for contempt but ordered only the ex-general arrested. The couple were absent from a committee hearing Thursday after "falsely" reporting that they were sick. According to the Senate order, the Ligots' non-appearance "delayed... and obstructed the inquiry" into alleged military corruption. Committee chairman Sen. Teofisto Guingona III told reporters that while both husband and wife were cited for contempt, only the former military official was being ordered arrested for now. Ligot's arrest and arrival in the Senate on Thursday evening was reported on the "24 Oras" newscast by Lia Mañalac, quoting Jose V. Balajadia Jr. of the Senate sergeant-at-arms. An earlier report of Rawnna Crisostomo, also on "24 Oras," said personnel from the Office of the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms (OSAA), accompanied by Taguig police, failed to find Ligot in his home in BCDA compound in Taguig. Crisostomo said they talked to Erlinda, who reportedly said her husband was already at the Senate. Humanitarian reasons Meanwhile, the Senate has decided not to proceed with arresting Erlinda as of now. "Nakuha na namin ang necessary signatures para ma-order in detention si Mr. and Mrs. Ligot...However, due to humanitarian reasons, we are suspending the carrying out of the detention order for Mrs. Ligot due to her health problems," Guingona said. Asked when the Senate intends to proceed with arresting Erlinda, Guingona said: "Until her health improves. That's a medical condition that can only be determined by doctors, not us." "Fake illness" On Thursday morning, the Ligot couple, through their legal counsel, informed the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee they could not attend today's hearing because they were both not feeling well. Mr. Ligot said he had the flu, while his wife was suffering from severe palpitations and gastroenteritis. Disappointed by the Ligots' non-appearance, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile requested that doctors from the Senate visit the Ligots in their residence and examine their health condition. Dr. Mariano Blancia later informed senators that both Ligots were feeling fine and showed no sign of illness. Majority vote The majority of the committee members voted in favor of the contempt order. Aside from Guingona, the other members of the 17-senator committee who voted were:

Sen. Gregorio Honasan;

Sen. Sergio Osmena III;

Sen. Ralph Recto;

Sen. Francis Pangilinan;

Sen. Franklin Drilon;

Sen. Pilar "Pia" Cayetano;

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, and

Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. "For not appearing despite due notice at the hearing of the Committee on 24 March 2011, and for causing his counsel to send a letter to the Committee seeking excuse for his absence due to an alleged illness, which has turned out to be a falsity... Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot is hereby cited in contempt of this committee and ordered arrested and detained at the Office of the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms," said the order issued Thursday afternoon. According to the senators, Ligot's non-appearance had "delayed, impeded and obstructed the inquiry" into the alleged multi-million-peso military fund scam. The senators are also giving Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Jose Balajadia 24 hours to implement the order. Asked to comment on the fate that befell the Ligots, Guingona said: "It's of their own making." Contempt is a special power of a court, sometimes given to a quasi-judicial body such as the Senate. Under the rules of court, there are two types of contempt: direct and indirect. Direct contempt is behavior disrespecting the court during its proceedings while indirect contempt is disrespectful behavior outside court proceedings. Warning Enrile said the order to cite for contempt and to arrest the Ligots should serve as a warning against people who would be testifying in the Senate in the future. "Kailangan huwag nila babalewalain ang kapangyarihan ng Senado dahil hindi naman namin kagustuhan iyan. Kailangan sumunod sila sa batas. Kung may pananagutan sila, kailangan sagutin nila," he said. (They should not take for granted the power of the Senate. They should follow the law.) Enrile added that he would not hesitate to cite individuals who would try to avoid attending Senate inquiries.– VVP/HS/MRT/KBK, GMA News