THE HOUSE of Representatives’ rules committee has issued subpoenas against the owner of C.T. Leoncio Construction and Trading and 10 regional officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways for its investigation on alleged irregularities in the budget allocation in Sorsogon. “We expect the attendance and full cooperation of these people in the House investigation. The House will not hesitate to issue arrest orders should those subpoenaed refuse to appear in our congressional hearings,” House Majority Leader Rolando G. Andaya of the 1st district of Camarines Sur said in a statement on Thursday. Among those who were summoned were sole proprietor Consolacion Leoncio of C.T. Leoncio, DPWH officials Engrs. Virgilio C. Eduarte, Danilo Verzola, Ignacio T. Odiaman, Wilfredo D. Flores, Larry B. Reyes, Merla Raveche, Jorge Gorimbao, Victor B. Azupardo, Gil Augustus A. Balmadrid, Noland Claro B. Guerrero. The Rules Committee also included Ms. Malou Lacuna, Mr. Renato de Vera, and Dr. Elenita Tan. The investigation, which will be held on Jan. 3, stemmed from the alleged parked funds in flood mitigating projects, amounting to P325 million, allocated to Casiguran. The Committee will also look into the multi-billion contracts entered into by the Department of Budget and Management with sole proprietor C. T. Leoncio. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

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