Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos hugs one of the “Ilocos Six” after they were ordered released from detention for contempt by the House of Representatives.
/Inquirer photo
After over 50 days in detention, the six Ilocos Norte provincial government officials on Tuesday were ordered released by the House of Representatives.
Majority leader Rudy Fariñas moved for the lifting of the contempt order and for the issuance of the release order of the six officials.
Fariñas said he is lifting the contempt order since the officials admitted during Tuesday’s hearing that it was their signatures on pertinent disbursement vouchers and other documents.
House good government and public accountability committee chairperson Surigao Del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel approved Fariñas’ motion, to the applause of the audience.
In an ambush interview with reporters after the hearing, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos said she is happy her employees can finally go home to their families after 55 days in detention.
Marcos attended the hearing as the lower house threatened to detain the governor for contempt if she continued to snub the hearing.
This after the lower house ordered six provincial government officials — who came to be known as the Ilocos Six — detained for contempt for refusing to answer questions during previous hearings.