Alleged Rice Smuggler Faces Senate Probe

Businessman Davidson Bangayan shows up at the Senate investigation on Wednesday over the suspected rice smuggling, where the committee hears in aid of legislation.

Bangayan, who is suspected to be a rice smuggler, initially refused to accept the subpoena issued by the Senate agriculture committee addressed to “David Tan,” report said.

A certain “David Tan” is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by a Caloocan court for electricity pilferage.

Also invited by the committee were Elizabeth Faustino and a certain David Lim, who also showed up in the inquiry.

Earlier, Senate agriculture committee chairwoman Cynthia Villar said Leah Echeveria of the D-Uranium Enterprises was subpoena, but was “nowhere to be found,” adding that the committee will determine whether to cite Echeveria in contempt for disregarding the subpoena.

Also present during the inquiry were Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, National Food Authority administrator Orlan Calayag and Customs Commissioner John Philip Sevilla.

Villar reportedly said she will check if recommendations from the committee report produced from the investigation two years ago are being implemented.

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested Bangayan last week believing that Bangayan is the alleged big-time rice smuggler known as David Tan. However, Bangayan was released after his lawyers insisted and showed documents proving that Bangayan was not David Tan.

Source: Gma News Online

Image Credit: www.gmanetwork.com