Senate Blue Ribbon issues contempt order against ex-Budget Usec. Lloyd Christopher Lao for skipping hearings

The Senate Blue Ribbon issued a contempt order against former Budget Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao who has been skipping recent hearings on the government’s procurement of medical supplies from Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp.

The former Usec. stopped attending hearings after Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea issued a memorandum barring Cabinet members from attending Blue Ribbon probe hearings.

Senators, however, noted that Lao is no longer a government official and is not covered by the order.

"Lao is a private citizen now and I will entertain a motion to cite him in contempt," Blue Ribbon chair Richard Gordon said during the hearing, which resumed on Nov. 4. Sen. Francis Pangilinan motioned to cite Lao in contempt and was seconded by Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

Lao was in charge of the Department of Budget and Management's procurement service when alleged anomalous contracts were awarded to Pharmally.

In October, the Senate Blue Ribbon said that it would recommend filing graft and fraud charges against Lao for his role in the deals with the firm.

Pharmally executives Mohit and Twinkle Dargani have also been absent from hearings and are evading arrest warrants issued by the panel two weeks ago.