Manila, Dec. 11 -- Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Thursday said individuals detained under the Senate's contempt powers would remain in custody while committee inquiries continue, but assured that they may receive visitors and will be given noche buena during the Christmas season.

Sotto said no request has been filed for a temporary holiday release.

"Walang request right now, yung dating request is 'yung umuuwi para kumuha ng documents para i-surrender (There is no request right now; the earlier request was only to go home to retrieve documents for surrender)," he told reporters in an interview.

He added that those detained would be provided holiday meals.

"Siyempre bibigyan namin (Of course, we will give them)," he said when a...