Batangas town mayor detained for skipping House probe

Metro Manila, Philippines - A Batangas mayor facing a contempt order by the House of Representatives over alleged public fund misuse was detained upon his return from the United States on Thursday, March 27.

In a statement, the House public accounts committee said it issued a detention order to Bauan Mayor Ryanh Dolor for his refusal to attend an inquiry on the Bauan Waterworks System privatization.

The panel is looking into the supposed public fund misuse in dealings between the local government of Bauan and Aquadata, the owner and operator of the water supply system.

House Sergeant-at-Arms PMGen Napoleon Taas (ret.) said authorities arrested Dolor upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City at 12:08 a.m.

Dolor was brought to the House of Representatives detention facility after undergoing medical assessment. He will be detained until the committee completes its hearings.

Based on a travel authority, Dolor was permitted to go to the US from March 11 to 26 for medical reasons. Some of the dates coincide with the panel’s scheduled inquiries.

Lawmakers noted the lack of justification in Dolor’s excuse letter such as medical records.

Joseph Yu and Jonathan Yu, Aquadata president and vice president, respectively, were also issued a detention order.

NewsWatch Plus has reached out to Dolor’s office for comment.