ILOCOS Norte Governor Imee Marcos is hesitant to attend the hearing of a House committee into the province's alleged anomalous use of the tobacco funds.
At a press conference on Thursday after filing a petition urging the Supreme Court (SC) to release the "Ilocos 6," Marcos said she "wants" to attend the July 25 House probe, but her friends and family have been urging her not to as she could be detained just like the six Iocal government officials of Ilocos Norte.
The House committee on good government has issued a subpoena to compel Marcos to attend the hearing but she snubbed it thrice, prompting House leaders to threaten her with arrest if she refuses to cooperate with the ongoing probe.
"Gusto kong pumunta. Pinagpipilitan kong pumunta subalit 'yun nga, maraming nagsasabi na 'wag ako umatend, na iboycott...dahil hindi patas ang laban sa kongreso," Marcos said.
Marcos said even the farmers, who allegedly benefitted from the Ilocos government's acquisition of mini trucks, mini vans and second-hand buses in 2011, advised her not to attend the hearing.
She said she was advised instead to answer the allegations against her inside her office, through video conferencing.
"Sabi sa akin magpadepose...manatili ako sa Ilocos Norte capitol pakatapos humingi na lang ng questions at dun na lang ako papaintervene. May nagsasabi namang may mga hi-tech na video conferencing para di ako makulong," said Marcos.
Asked anew by reporters if she will attend, Marcos said: "I would prefer to go. Gusto kong pumunta. Sa ngayon 'yun ang aking ninanais pero nakikinig din ako sa lahat ng nagsasabi sakin na magdahan-dahan, maghunos-dili."
Six Ilocos Norte officials have been detained since May 29 for failing to answer the questions of the members of the committee probing the issue.
Surigao del Sur Representative Johnny Pimentel, chairman of the House committee on good government, said that if Marcos will not attend, they will be compelled to issue a warrant of arrest against her. (VoxPop Philippines)