House panel lifts contempt order against Villanueva

The House of Representatives' quad committee has lifted the contempt order against former PDEA chief Wilkins Villanueva after approving his motion for reconsideration.

Villanueva was cited in contempt last December 12 but deferred to January 13 due to humanitarian considerations, and on Tuesday he presented himself before the House Office of Sergeant-at-Arms as required by the quad committee.

During Tuesday's hearings, Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano noted that Villanueva filed his motion directly with the quad committee and expressed appreciation for his cooperation during the proceedings.

Villanueva committed to cooperate truthfully in today’s hearing and future sessions, leading to the lifting of the contempt order without objections from other members of the panel.

The quad committee also questioned why those behind large-scale drug smuggling incidents were not convicted while others were merely 'fall guys', highlighting the need for further investigation into real masterminds involved.