Senate cites 3 in contempt over agricultural smuggling testimonies

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform has cited three individuals in contempt for allegedly providing false testimonies during a hearing on agricultural smuggling.

The individuals detained include Bureau of Customs Deputy Collector Andrew Calixihan and COO III Mary Anabelle Gubaton, both from the Port of Subic, and Erwin Pascual, owner of EPCB Consumer Goods Trading.

Erwin Pascual was cited for contempt after Senator Kiko Pangilinan pointed out inconsistencies in Pascual's statements regarding his business registration and lending of his license.

Pascual admitted to using his nephew's name in registering his company, even if the nephew was unaware of any brokerage dealings.

Andrew Calixihan was cited for contempt for allegedly misleading the panel about three trucks that left the Subic port on June 27, with shipments declared as chicken poppers, but later found to contain onions and mackerel.

Calixihan allegedly provided "less than forthright" testimony about the destination of the cargo, which was supposedly headed to a warehouse that did not exist.

Mary Anabelle Gubaton was cited after truck drivers testified that containers were released without Customs supervision.

Customs broker Brenda de Sagun, previously cited in contempt, was temporarily released to gather information about a certain "Mr. Vicente," who allegedly contracted the importation.