UMABOT sa 37 ang bilang ng mga indibidwal na na-cite in contempt ng Kamara de Representantes ngayong 19th Congress.

Kasabay nito ay natapos na 16-person detention facility ng Kamara, sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez kung saan ikukulong ang mga indibidwal na masa-cite in contempt ng iba’t ibang komite sa pagganap ng kanilang mandato.

Pinangunahan nina House Secretary-General Reginald “Reggie” S. Velasco at Sergeant-at-Arms Napoleon “Nap” Taas ang inagurasyon ng apat na kuwartong pasilidad na matatagpuan sa Legislative Security Bureau (LSB) noong Miyerkoles.

Umabot na umano sa kabuuang 37 ang contempt order na inilabas ng Committees on Public Accounts; Public Order and Safety; Human Rights; Dangerous Drugs; Franchise; Agriculture, at iba pa.

Bago ito ay walang permanenteng detention facility ang Kamara at naghahanap lamang ng mga lugar na maaaring pagkulungan.

“Today, we are unveiling a building marker that transcends its physical form. It’s not just a metal sign with information about the building and the custodial facilities in it. It symbolizes something much more profound,” ani Velasco sa event noong Hulyo 7.

“It’s a testament to the unwavering commitment of the House of Representatives’ leadership to uphold rights and dignity, a commitment that we take very seriously,” dagdag pa nito.

Sa kasalukuyan ay mayroong dalawang nakakulong sa pasilidadp— si Daisy Quiros, isang real estate broker na ipinakulong ng Committee on Public Accounts, at Ronilyn Baterna, ang Corporate Secretary ng Lucky South 99 na ipinakulog naman ng Committee on Public Order and Safety.

“And the provision of clean and comfortable facilities, the fair treatment, the protection of their safety and welfare, and the continuous monitoring by our medical team of their health condition all reflect our operational efficiency within the House and reinforce the integrity of our investigation process,” sabi ni Velasco.

“This commitment to those placed under our care builds public trust in our processes and our institution. It shows that the House of Representatives values integrity situations and transparency, even in challenging situations,” dagdag pa nito.

Sinabi ni Taas na bago maitayo ang gusaling ito ay walang pasilidad na nakalaan para pagkulungan ng mga na-cite in contempt.

Dahil dito, sinabi ni Taas na ipinakulong sina Mayor Abundio Punzalan at Mr. Loreto Santos, na ipinakulong ng Committee on Public Accounts sa BJMP Facility sa Bicutan.

“Since time immemorial, the HRep has never had a facility dedicated for those held in contempt by the committees. It is only in this 19th Congress under the leadership of the Honorable Speaker Martin Romualdez that such a facility is finally constructed,” ani Taas.

“What we have not only ensured a safe and secured detention facility but one where detainees could serve their detention orders in a dignified condition. It also affords the Security Bureau a facility that is much easier to secure,” dagdag pa nito.

Mas madali rin umanong bantayan ang bagong pasilidad. Kung dati ay kakailanganin ng 10 security personnel upang bantayan ang mga nakakulong, ngayon ay apat na lang.