Nograles to subpoena PASG chief

Speaker Prospero Nograles said yesterday he would issue a subpoena for Antonio Villar, head of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) to compel him to attend a House inquiry into unabated car smuggling activities in Cebu, Subic, and Port Irene in Cagayan.

“Yes, I will,” Nograles said in a text message when asked if he would sign a subpoena for Villar.

Nograles confirmed the issuance of a subpoena to the PASG chief following the recommendation of Camiguin Rep. Pedro Romualdo, chairman of the House committee on good government committee, conducting the inquiry.

Nograles, however, said he has not received the committee recommendation.

He said Romualdo and his vice chairmen are scheduled to see him today “and we will discuss this and decide.”

Under House rules, it is the Speaker, together with the chairman of the investigating committee, who signs a subpoena.

Last Wednesday, the Romualdo committee decided to subpoena Villar after he snubbed its invitation four times. Villar has the rank of undersecretary in Malacañang.

Villar’s no-show despite repeated invitations angered committee members.

“His continued absence is an open defiance of the House,” said Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar of Cebu.

Rep. Antonio Cuenco of Cebu City’s second district said Villar should be arrested, if necessary, to compel him to testify before the good government committee.

“He should appear here, instead of appearing before the media,” he said.

Opposition Rep. Roilo Golez of Parañaque City wanted Villar immediately cited for contempt so he could be ordered arrested and brought before the House panel, but Romualdo opted for the issuance of a subpoena.

Cuenco, Del Mar and other Cebu congressmen have denounced car smuggling in Cebu City during the time of Customs Collector Billy Bibit and Reynaldo Berroya as Land Transportation Office (LTO) head.

They said tens of thousands of luxury cars and sport utility vehicles were smuggled into the country through the port of Cebu City.

The morning after the Romualdo committee voted to subpoena him to compel his attendance in the next hearing, Villar was still defiant.

Villar announced in a radio interview that he was submitting his resignation to President Arroyo that morning because two administration congressmen were allegedly interfering in his job.

When asked if his resignation was irrevocable, Villar said it was not.

He said he could not be compelled to attend any Senate or House inquiry because “our job is confidential.”

But Villar’s critics in the House said his offer to resign was just “for show.”

“If he is serious in quitting, he should submit an irrevocable resignation,” they said.

Members of the good government committee have accused him of engaging in “fishing expeditions.”

Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara, the country’s former ambassador in Lebanon, complained that PASG once tagged him as a user of a smuggled Volvo and a Cherokee Jeep when he bought such vehicles locally.

“They were old vehicles that had to be restored to their original condition,” he said.

Rep. Maria Milagros Magsaysay of Zambales denounced Villar for “his arrogance” in continuing to snub the Romualdo committee. By Jess Diaz - PhilStar