House panel frees detained Ilocos Norte officials

MANILA, Philippines— A House of Representatives panel on Tuesday released the six employees of Ilocos Norte provincial government implicated in the alleged misuse of tobacco excise funds.

The employees, known as “Ilocos Six" as in the style of political prisoners, were freed by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability after almost two months of being detained at the House of Representatives. They were cited for contempt for staying silent over the P66.45 million tobacco excise tax anomaly.

House Majority floor leader Rudy Fariñas, also Ilocos Norte representative, ordered the immediate release of the six during the House probe into the tobacco funds after they admitted that they signed the documents and disbursement vouchers of the vehicles purchases being questioned.

They were freed on the same day that Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos attended the probe for the first time.

Earlier, Imee and her mother Ilocos Norte 2^nd District Rep. Imelda Marcos called for the release of the "Ilocos Six" citing old age and poor health.

Gov. Marcos also lamented how the detention of the six had affected the operations of the provincial government.

The six detained public employees are Bids and Awards Committee and Provincial and Planning Development Unit chair Pedro Agcaoili, Provincial Treasurer Josephine Calajate, accountant Edna Battulayan, Provincial Budget Officer Evangeline Tabulog, and Treasury Office employees Genedine Jambaro and Encarnacion Gaor.

The governor had an emotional reunion with the Ilocos Six during their release. She said they will go home after receiving medical certification as well as a release order.

The next hearing into the tobacco funds is slated August 9.

“Hmm, bahala na kung kasali na naman ako,” Imee said when asked about attending the next scheduled inquiry.