(CNN Philippines) — The Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee on Monday (May 18) cited in contempt and ordered the arrest of several individuals for not attending the hearings on the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall Building II:
Vissia Marie Aldon
Danilo Villas
Aida Alcantara
Hirene Lopez
Irene S. Chong
Imee S. Chong
Kim Tun S. Chong
Irish S. Chong
Erinda S. Chong
Kimsfer S. Chong
Anne Lorraine Buencamino-Tiu
James Tiu
Antonio Tiu
Gerardo Limlingan
These individuals are being linked to Vice President Jejomar Binay who, along with son Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. and several others, are accused of corruption in connection with the allegedly overpriced Makati building, among other issues.
Senators Teofisto Guingona III and Antonio Trillanes IV made the announcement on Monday.
Guingona is chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee and Trillanes is the chairman of the subcommittee conducting the hearing.
Related: CA continues hearing on Binay contempt plea
Since January, three others have already been cited in contempt, for the same reason:
Eduviges “Ebeng” Baloloy
Engineer Line de la Peña
Bernadette Portallano
Watch: CA hears contempt case vs De Lima, Peña
Under the Senate Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation, someone is cited in contempt when the Senate votes to “punish” that person for refusing to be sworn in, to testify, or to answer a proper question by the Senate, or testifies falsely or evasively.
The Senate may order someone who has been cited in contempt to be detained under the custody of the sergeant-at-arms until such he or she agrees to do what is required of him.
CNN Philippines’ Anna Estanislao contributed to this report.
