The Senate on Thursday asserted that the contempt order against controversial contractor Pacifico ‘Curlee’ Discaya was issued within the chamber’s constitutional authority.
The office of Senate President Vicente Sotto III made the remark following Discaya’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus, in which he cited alleged irregularities in his detention under contempt.
‘The Senate remains firm in its decision, asserting that the contempt order against Discaya was issued within its constitutional authority,’ the statement reads. In a hearing held before the Regional Trial Court of Pasay City, Branch 298, presided over by Hon. Melvin Cydrick Bughao, the court ordered that Discaya remain under the safekeeping of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms. Lawyers representing Discaya argued on the legality of his continued detention, while the respondents were represented by the Senate Legal Counsel.
Meanwhile, Sotto’s office said the case is scheduled to resume on Monday., after which it will be turned over to the Office of the Solicitor General for the succeeding hearings.
Discaya was cited for contempt during the Senate panel on blue ribbon’s September 18 hearing into anomalous flood control projects after the controversial contractor allegedly lied.
The decision by the committee stemmed from Sotto’s query as to why Discaya’s wife, Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya, failed to attend the hearing.