(Eagle News) — The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability on Tuesday ordered the release of the so-called “Ilocos 6,” who were detained after they refused to answer questions from lawmakers on the alleged misuse of tobacco funds in Ilocos Norte.
The panel ordered the release of the six officials of the Ilocos Norte government after they answered questions asked by House Majority Floor leader Rudy Farinas on the procurement of P66.45-million worth of vehicles allegedly with the use of the tobacco excise taxes.
Ilocos Governor Imee Marcos also appeared before the panel to give her side after she failed to appear there three times.
The governor arrived with her mother, Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos and former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who is acting as her legal counsel.
“Walang corruption, walang kickback,” she said in the hearing.
“Kung ako ang target nito at political local lamang ang ugat nito, huwag na idamay ang mga empleyadong walang kalaban-laban sa Ilocos Norte. They should not be penalized for telling the truth and they deserve to go home to their loved ones in Ilocos Norte and finally, pauwiin natin sila Mister Chair at handa pa po akong sumagot sa inyong katangunan,” Marcos had said in a statement before the release of the six provincial government officials.
The six officials had been detained in the lower house complex for 55 days prior to their release, after being cited in contempt.