Ex-AFP comptroller Ligot now in Senate custody

(Updated 9:10 p.m.) Former military comptroller Jacinto Ligot was brought to the Senate Thursday evening, shortly after the Blue Ribbon Committee cited him and his wife Erlinda for contempt for allegedly lying to the panel about their health to justify their absence in a hearing earlier in the day. Ligot's arrest and arrival in the Senate were reported by Lia Mañalac, quoting Jose V. Balajadia Jr. of the Senate sergeant-at-arms, in GMA News’ “24 Oras." Mrs. Ligot was not ordered arrested for “humanitarian reasons," according to Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, citing her “health problems." An earlier report by Rawnna Crisostomo in “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 were able to talk to Mrs. Ligot, who reportedly said her husband was already at the Senate. Absent from hearing Ligot was accused of earning millions of pesos in ill-gotten wealth while he was still AFP comptroller. He and his wife did not attend Thursday’s hearing at the Senate on alleged corruption in the military due to health reasons. Disappointed by the Ligots’ non-appearance, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile requested that doctors from the Senate to visit the couple in their residence and examine their condition. Dr. Mariano Blancia later informed senators that both Ligots were feeling fine and showed no signs of illness. The majority of the committee members then voted in favor of the contempt order against the couple. According to the senators, Ligot's non-appearance had "delayed, impeded and obstructed the inquiry" into the alleged corruption in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Humanitarian reasons The Senate, however, has decided not to proceed with arresting Mrs. Ligot 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 Mrs. Ligot, Guingona said: “Until her health improves. That’s a medical condition that can only be determined by doctors, not us." On Thursday morning, the Ligot couple, through their legal counsel, informed the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee they could not attend the hearing because they were both not feeling well. Ligot said he had the flu, while his wife was suffering from severe palpitations and gastroenteritis. - KBK, GMA News