By Raynan F. Javil, Reporter

THE House of Representatives has withheld the issuance of a show-cause order against justices of the Court of Appeals (CA) who granted the petition of writ of habeas corpus on the so-called ‘Ilocos 6.’

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny T. Pimentel said in an ambush interview yesterday that they have filed a motion for inhibition against justices of the CA Special Fourth Division and they will wait for a resolution on their pleading.

“Kung naalala niyo (If you remember), I already signed the show-cause order (as to) why they should not be cited for contempt. But considering that on June 29, we filed for a motion for inhibition, so we would just await muna (first) if the three justices will inhibit,” Mr. Pimentel said in an ambush interview.

Mr. Pimentel chairs the House committee on good government and public accountability, which is conducting a congressional probe on the alleged irregularities on the purchase of minicabs, buses and trucks amounting to P66.45 million using the Ilocos Norte tobacco excise-tax collection share.

Six Ilocos Norte officials remain detained at the House of Representatives since May 29 as they were cited in contempt for giving “dismissive answers” during the previous hearings bythe committee.

The six officials petitioned the appellate court for a writ of habeas corpus, which the court granted. But the House ignored the order and instead issued a show-cause order against the three justices of the CA Special Fourth Division.

The CA Special Fourth Division is composed of Justices Stephen Cruz, Edwin Sorongon, and Nina Antonio-Valenzuela.

“We hold the show-cause order until such time our motion for inhibition to the justices will be acted upon,” Mr. Pimentel said.

His committee will resume its probe on July 25. The chamber already issued a show-cause order against Ilocos Governor Imee R. Marcos after she skipped the previous hearings.

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