House panel summons ex-DBM execs

A sub-committee of the appropriations committee of the House of Representatives has issued a show-cause order against former officials of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) in relation to the anomalous P47.6-billion Pharmally transaction.

- DELON PORCALLA

Among those ordered to appear, with a warning of contempt should they fail to do so, are former PS-DBM chief Lloyd Christopher Lao, Warren Rex Liong, a former overall deputy ombudsman, and other former officials of the PS-DBM.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, a member of the chamber's "Young Guns" group, stressed that the presence of these former officials is paramount to the oversight functions of the House panel in the exercise of its mandate.

"For a guest speaker whose presence is very vital, very important in the conclusion of this certain inquiry, without giving justification as to his absence, I think we can request a show cause order," Adiong said.