MANILA, November 14, 2012-Five of the 20 traders/ cooperative representatives that have been issued warrants of arrest for their failure to appear before the Senate investigating committee on smuggling have surrendered themselves before the Senate on Tuesday.
"We will confer with the Senate President and other members of the committee to discuss whether or not a release order is to be issued," says Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, Senate Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Food. "In the meantime they will remain under the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms as our rules provide."
Pangilinan, in the meantime, issued a stern warning to all resource persons invited by the Senate investigating committee on future hearings.
"The Senate is committed to putting an end to smuggling in the country. At the very least we would improve the system of importation ad address the gaps that contribute to rampant smuggling. WE are taking the matter seriously. Should the invited resource persons deem to interpret their appearance as inconsequential or take the matter lightly as to ignore the Senate's summons, they will face the consequences."
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