Magsaysay to sue PASG chief for linking her to smuggling
A lawmaker yesterday said she is seriously considering suing Malacañang’s anti-smuggling czar for reportedly maligning her name and reputation by accusing her of being involved in multimillion-peso smuggling activities in the country.
In a privilege speech at the House of Representatives, Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay assailed Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) chief Antonio Villar for making “wild allegations” in the media about her alleged involvement in smuggling activities.
Magsaysay said her lawyers are studying the possibility of filing a legal case against Villar for raising “baseless accusations” against her.
“My name has been maligned in the media in the past three weeks. This is too much. My reputation has been intensely attacked without basis and I am considering taking legal action against him (Villar),” she said.
Magsaysay delivered the speech the same day the House committee on good government issued a subpoena on Villar for snubbing the ongoing congressional inquiry into the alleged rampant smuggling of imported luxury vehicles into the country.
Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco and Sorsogon Rep. Jose Solis moved to subpoena the anti-smuggling czar after his continued failure to appear before the House panels investigating the smuggling issue.
Villar has snubbed the House invitation four times.
Magsaysay also deplored the purported attempt of Villar’s camp to stop her from delivering the privilege speech Wednesday night after one of her colleagues, whom she did not name, allegedly approached her and told her not to push through with the speech or she will receive more negative publicity.
“I will not name the congressman-emissary, but they want me to stop from attacking Villar or I will be facing more tirades in the trimedia,” she said.
She scored Villar for repeatedly snubbing the House hearings into the smuggling issue, saying such snub is a show of sheer arrogance.
“Who is Mr. Villar to not take Congress seriously? Why is he repeatedly snubbing our (congressmen) invitations to attend the inquiry into the smuggling issue?” Magsaysay said.
She said she hopes Speaker Prospero Nograles will immediately sign the subpoena on Villar in time for another hearing next week before Congress goes on a Holy Week break or face arrest and contempt.
Magsaysay moreover accused Villar of abusing his authority when he allegedly ordered PASG men to raid shops even without obtaining proper search warrants first.
She particularly cited the raid conducted by the PASG in Makati City, which Villar said was authorized by Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales.
In one of the hearings of the House committee on good government, Morales denied his office had issued the warrant.
Magsaysay, along with Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara, had called for the abolition of PASG.
They said Villar should justify the creation of his agency or face abolition in the wake of accusations that the body’s principal tasks and responsibilities overlap those of the Bureau of Customs.
Before this, the PASG head had accused Bichara of owning 81 luxury vehicles believed to be “hot cars” that were confiscated by the PASG from the Auto Sports 24 car repair shop in Makati City last Dec. 14.
Meanwhile, Villar yesterday said he was resigning from the PASG over the “unnecessary pressure” being placed on him by the House.
In a television interview, he said he had decided to resign after lawmakers threatened to order his arrest for snubbing the House hearings into the smuggling issue.
“I don’t want to add to President (Arroyo)’s problems, she has enough problems. I think it will be best if I resign and keep silent so that they can do what they want,” he said in Filipino.
But in reaction, Malacañang said Mrs. Arroyo will not accept his resignation because she is pleased with his performance at the PASG.
In a press briefing at the Palace, Presidential Management Staff Chief Secretary Cerge Remonde said Mrs. Arroyo is unlikely to accept Villar’s resignation as he still enjoys the confidence of the President despite being at odds with some lawmakers.
He said the President had not yet received any resignation letter from Villar, but she was ready to turn it down.
This was confirmed by deputy presidential spokesman Lorelei Fajardo in a press statement.
“Undersecretary Villar enjoys the confidence of the President. His unwavering fight against smuggling has tremendously impacted on these unlawful practices of some of our traders. The President would like to appeal to all to stay calm and focus in our joint effort to combat smuggling in our country,” she said.
By Gerry Baldo - Daily Tribune, with Sherwin C. Olaes and PNA
In a privilege speech at the House of Representatives, Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay assailed Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) chief Antonio Villar for making “wild allegations” in the media about her alleged involvement in smuggling activities.
Magsaysay said her lawyers are studying the possibility of filing a legal case against Villar for raising “baseless accusations” against her.
“My name has been maligned in the media in the past three weeks. This is too much. My reputation has been intensely attacked without basis and I am considering taking legal action against him (Villar),” she said.
Magsaysay delivered the speech the same day the House committee on good government issued a subpoena on Villar for snubbing the ongoing congressional inquiry into the alleged rampant smuggling of imported luxury vehicles into the country.
Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco and Sorsogon Rep. Jose Solis moved to subpoena the anti-smuggling czar after his continued failure to appear before the House panels investigating the smuggling issue.
Villar has snubbed the House invitation four times.
Magsaysay also deplored the purported attempt of Villar’s camp to stop her from delivering the privilege speech Wednesday night after one of her colleagues, whom she did not name, allegedly approached her and told her not to push through with the speech or she will receive more negative publicity.
“I will not name the congressman-emissary, but they want me to stop from attacking Villar or I will be facing more tirades in the trimedia,” she said.
She scored Villar for repeatedly snubbing the House hearings into the smuggling issue, saying such snub is a show of sheer arrogance.
“Who is Mr. Villar to not take Congress seriously? Why is he repeatedly snubbing our (congressmen) invitations to attend the inquiry into the smuggling issue?” Magsaysay said.
She said she hopes Speaker Prospero Nograles will immediately sign the subpoena on Villar in time for another hearing next week before Congress goes on a Holy Week break or face arrest and contempt.
Magsaysay moreover accused Villar of abusing his authority when he allegedly ordered PASG men to raid shops even without obtaining proper search warrants first.
She particularly cited the raid conducted by the PASG in Makati City, which Villar said was authorized by Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales.
In one of the hearings of the House committee on good government, Morales denied his office had issued the warrant.
Magsaysay, along with Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara, had called for the abolition of PASG.
They said Villar should justify the creation of his agency or face abolition in the wake of accusations that the body’s principal tasks and responsibilities overlap those of the Bureau of Customs.
Before this, the PASG head had accused Bichara of owning 81 luxury vehicles believed to be “hot cars” that were confiscated by the PASG from the Auto Sports 24 car repair shop in Makati City last Dec. 14.
Meanwhile, Villar yesterday said he was resigning from the PASG over the “unnecessary pressure” being placed on him by the House.
In a television interview, he said he had decided to resign after lawmakers threatened to order his arrest for snubbing the House hearings into the smuggling issue.
“I don’t want to add to President (Arroyo)’s problems, she has enough problems. I think it will be best if I resign and keep silent so that they can do what they want,” he said in Filipino.
But in reaction, Malacañang said Mrs. Arroyo will not accept his resignation because she is pleased with his performance at the PASG.
In a press briefing at the Palace, Presidential Management Staff Chief Secretary Cerge Remonde said Mrs. Arroyo is unlikely to accept Villar’s resignation as he still enjoys the confidence of the President despite being at odds with some lawmakers.
He said the President had not yet received any resignation letter from Villar, but she was ready to turn it down.
This was confirmed by deputy presidential spokesman Lorelei Fajardo in a press statement.
“Undersecretary Villar enjoys the confidence of the President. His unwavering fight against smuggling has tremendously impacted on these unlawful practices of some of our traders. The President would like to appeal to all to stay calm and focus in our joint effort to combat smuggling in our country,” she said.
By Gerry Baldo - Daily Tribune, with Sherwin C. Olaes and PNA
Labels: Mitos Magsaysay, pasg, smuggling, subic, villar
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