Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has cited more individuals in contempt during the Senate hearing on multi-million-peso agricultural smuggling for allegedly misleading the committee and refusing to answer key questions.
Those ordered detained at the Senate were Erwin Pascual of EPCB Consumer Goods Trading, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Subic Deputy Collector for Assessment Andrew Malcolm Calixihan, and BOC Acting Customs Operations Officer Mary Anabelle Gubaton.
Pangilinan flagged inconsistencies in Gubaton’s statements on the release of misdeclared frozen mackerel shipments from the Port of Subic despite lacking proper documents. Both Gubaton and Calixihan denied knowing a certain “Mr. Chuggs,” said to have instructed drivers to move the smuggled goods, a claim the senator found untruthful.
Pascual was also cited in contempt for contradicting his earlier testimony about broker Ellaine Joy Gedaria and the ownership of EPCB, initially claiming his nephew owned the firm before admitting he was the real owner.
Earlier, Pangilinan granted Brenda de Sagun of Berches Consumer Goods Trading temporary liberty to locate a certain “Mr. Vicente.”IMT
