THE Senate committee investigating the foiled rice smuggling attempt at the Subic Freeport early this year cited 20 individuals, mostly traders and officials of different cooperatives, for contempt for snubbing the senate hearing on Wednesday.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, expressed disappointment over the refusal of the said individuals to attend the inquiry despite the subpoena earlier issued compelling them to appear in the hearing and provide information regarding the smuggling attempt.

“There is a clear pattern of non-cooperation and refusal to honor our subpoena,” said Pangilinan during the hearing.

Only one of the 26 invited rice traders was present in the hearing, while five were not actually served the subpoena.

Others who snubbed the hearing and could face contempt and possible detention were Emily Alabado, Ugnayang Magbubukid ng San Isidro Inc.; Crisanta Reyes, Malipampang Concern Citizens multipurpose cooperative; Elpidio Mendoza, Sili multi-purpose cooperative; Maximo Hernandez, Samahan ng magsasakang kapampangan at katagalugan; Juanito David, Kapatirang Takusa multipurpose cooperative; Ricardo Gatuz, Formosa multipurpose cooperative; Juanito Evangelista, Riverview multipurpose cooperative; Ronaldo Valdez, Sitio Muzon farmers multipurpose cooperative; Zenaida Abanio, Sta. Cecilia multi-purpose cooperative and Felix Villena Sr., Ugnayang magsasaka sa kaunlaran.

Also included were lawyer Eugene Guiang Pioquinto, attorney in fact of Nemic Fusion, West Point and St. Dominique; Michael Villanueva, Jaded Ranch grains and cereals trading; Gil Calipayan, King Casey Trading; Sandra Lim, Lexant international trading; Mary Joyce Lim, Loui London trading; Willy Sy of Montevallo enterprises; Enigo Espiritu, Nemic Fusion rice and grains enterprises; Jason Colocado, Pure Country Trading; Dennis Gonzales, St. Dominique rice and food enterprises; among others.