Imee’s pal faces arrest for snubbing House probe

LAOAG CITY -- A Singaporean friend of Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos maybe arrested if he snubs again the hearing of the House of Representatives on the alleged misuse of P66.4 million in tobacco funds by the provincial government.

Mark Chua’s secretary Irene Mendoza and Gilbert Suribas, vice president of Granstar Motors, the supplier of 110 multicabs and mini-trucks to Ilocos Norte, may also be cited in contempt.

The provincial government used tobacco funds in procuring the vehicles.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, chairman of the House committee on good government and public accountability, said his panel issued show cause orders to Chua, Mendoza and Suribas after they did not show up in last Monday’s hearing.

Pimentel said the committee is likely to cite the three in contempt if they would not show up again to shed light on their respective roles in the procurement of the  vehicles worth P51.2 million.

Marcos has repeatedly said the purchase was aboveboard and the laws on the use of tobacco funds and procurement were not violated.

Granstar president-owner Fabian Go told the committee last Aug. 31 that he dealt with Chua and Mendoza in supplying the vehicles to Ilocos Norte.

Go said he met with Marcos and Chua in Singapore, where they talked about the transaction. 

“I got the impression that it was a private sale. I came to know that it was a government purchase only when this investigation started,” he said.

Go said he received payments totaling P29.7 million from Chua.