Caloocan dads to question contempt raps

MANILA, Philippines - The Caloocan City government’s legal officer is set to file a motion with the Court of Appeals (CA) questioning the legality of contempt charges against members of the city council, who are facing arrest.

Legal officer Michael Arthur Camina said Caloocan Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 125 Judge Dionisio Sison will issue a warrant of arrest soon against the entire city council by virtue of his order dated Oct. 13 granting a motion to cite the councilors for contempt.

The warrant stemmed from non-payment of a lot appropriated by the city government for P47 million in 1996 for a socialized housing project.

The local court has ordered the city council to pay P134 million, but the city council said it only needs to pay P102 million and elevated the dispute to the CA.

Among those included in the arrest warrant is Vice Mayor Macario Asistio III, who heads the city council. 

Camina, during yesterday’s court hearing, asked the judge to lower the bail amount, “considering that those involved are public officials.”

Camina said the city council insists that “proper procedures must first be met and Commission on Audit rules be followed before payment.”

Sison refused to comment on the case, saying he is set to retire on Dec. 9 “and would not like to be dragged into the limelight.”

However, a city hall official said that this was not the first time that Sison was involved in a controversial decision. 

“He seems to be twisting the arm of city hall to release the funds before his retirement on December. Why is he in such a hurry to decide that the city hall should already pay the other party when the case is still on appeal?” the official said.