Senate blue ribbon panel releases Aytona

The Senate blue ribbon committee today released Marites Aytona from the Senate's custody following her appearance and testimony during the panel's probe into the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon, committee chair, said Aytona's release is in compliance with the order of arrest they issued which states that she will be freed from the Senate's custody when she appears before the panel and gives her testimony.

"Ms. Aytona is now released from the Senate's custody. She is no longer under arrest. However, if she wishes to seek the Senate's protection, we can still give it to her," he said.

Gordon announced Aytona's release after the panel's fifth hearing on the anomalous project. Aytona was placed under the Senate's custody last Dec. 18 after she surrendered following an alleged attempt in her life.

The committee cited Aytona in contempt, ordered her arrest and detention after failing to attend the panel's hearings on Nov. 18, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 despite summonses sent to her.