‘Job racketeering’: Reps panel summon absentee MDAs, threaten to invoke powers

The house of representatives ad-hoc committee has re-summoned MDAs that refused to appear before it for investigation.

The committee had summoned ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to investigate job racketeering and mismanagement of the integrated payroll and personnel information system (IPPIS).

In a statement on Saturday, Yusuf Gagdi, chairman of the committee, said disregard for invitations amounted to contempt of legislature and warned of dire consequences.

He expressed dismay over the deliberate refusal of several MDAs to appear before the panel, in spite of repeated invitation letters and publications in national dailies.

Gagdi described such action as a deliberate attempt by the affected MDAs to frustrate the assignment of the panel.

He said the hearing notice had been sent through major national dailies and the various MDA offices, but to the committee’s utmost dismay, its request was disregarded.

He said the affected ministries whose details had already been published in the national dailies were to appear before the committee between August 24 and August 31.

The committee also threatened to invoke its legislative power to ensure compliance by the various MDAs.