Senate rule makes it easier to cite ‘witnesses’ for contempt

MANILA, Philippines - A resource person or any witness disobeying an order of a Senate committee may be cited in contempt and arrested on motion of the chairman or any member under the amended Senate rules governing inquiries in aid of legislation.  

The Senate has officially published the amendments contained in Resolution 145 on Monday.

Senators adopted the resolution before Congress went into recess last Feb. 6.

Under current Senate rules, a contempt order must be signed by the Senate president after a majority of the 24 senators have signed a recommendation.

The Senate amended Section 18 of the Senate rules upon the recommendation of Sen. Sergio Osmeña III. 

Under the new rules, the chairman, with the concurrence of at least one  member, may punish or cite in contempt any witness who disobeys any order of the committee.

The same punishment may be imposed any person who refuses to be sworn in or to testify or to answer a proper question of any committee member, or testifies falsely or evasively, or who unduly refuses to appear or bring before the committee certain documents and/or object evidence required of him/ her.

The witness cited in contempt may be ordered detained in a place the committee may designate under the custody of the Senate sergeant-at-arms until he agrees to produce the required documents, or to be sworn in or to testify.

The sergeant-at-arms is required to report to the committee and the Senate the detention of any person.