DBPH Admin2 
THE House of Representatives (HRep) on Wednesday formally made available the HRep Custodial Center (HCC), a dedicated facility for holding persons that House committees will cite in contempt in the course of their investigations.
HRep Secretary General Reginald Velasco, who unveiled the building marker for the HCC, said the facility reinforces the integrity of the investigation processes that the HRep judiciously uses in crafting responsive legislation.
“Today, we are unveiling a building marker that transcends its physical form. It’s not just a metal sign with information about the building and the custodial facilities. It symbolizes something much more profound. It’s a testament to the unwavering commitment of the House of Representatives leadership to uphold rights and dignity — a commitment that we take very seriously,” Velasco said.
HRep Sergeant-at-arms retired Police Maj. Gen. Napoleon Taas said the facility is a new development.
“Since time immemorial, HRep has never had a facility dedicated for those who are held in contempt by the committees. It is only in this 19th Congress, under the leadership of the Honorable Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, that such a facility is finally constructed,” Taas said.
He added the facility was built so that detainees can complete detention orders with dignity. The facility also requires less security personnel.
“When before we would deploy a minimum of 10 personnel to secure the detainees, now we only need four,” Taas said.
Gracing the occasion were House Committee on Public Accounts chairman and Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen “Caraps” Paduano, Committee on Legislative Franchises chairman and Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting, as well as Committee on Public Works and Highways vice chair and Bulacan Rep. Salvador Pleyto.
Among the committees, the House Committee on Public Accounts has issued the most number of contempt orders, at 37, as of Aug. 6, 2024.
Rev. Father Eugene Cagoco of the Kristong Hari Parish Diocese of Novaliches City officiated the blessing of the HCC and the newly renovated HRep Operations Center of the Legislative Security Bureau.
