Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo declined to confirm his earlier claims that he was pressured by two members of the House Quad-Committee to testify about the alleged cash reward system implemented during the previous administration's campaign against illegal drugs.
During the 14th public hearing of the committee on Tuesday, Grijaldo consistently "invoked his right against self-incrimination" when asked about his claims of coercion, reaffirming that he stands by his statement from the Senate hearing.
The allegations originated from Police Colonel Grijaldo's October 28 testimony at a Senate inquiry, where he accused two lawmakers of pressuring him into verifying the existence of a reward system during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
At the beginning of the interpolation, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. and Santa Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, the two Quad-Committee members implicated in the coercion, stepped down from their positions as committee chairpersons to serve as resource persons and took their oath accordingly.
House Deputy Speaker Rep. David “JayJay” Suarez initiated the interpolation by questioning the truth of the coercion claims.
“I would stand by my statement in the Senate under oath and I would like to invoke my right against self-incrimination," PCol. Grijaldo answered.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong then reiterated that no member of the committee was asking incriminating questions to Grijaldo, thus, there was no need for him to respond in such manner.
He further noted that Grijaldo's participation in the Senate inquiry was intended to tarnish the reputation of some of the Quad-Committee chairpersons, ultimately attempting to undermine the integrity of the committee.
"I hate to admonish men in uniform. I have the highest respect for our policemen. But please Col. Grijaldo, stop invoking your right against self-incrimination. Nobody is asking you any incriminating questions here," Adiong stated.
Rep. Suarez echoed the sentiment, stating that their questions were not incriminating, as they were based solely on Grijaldo's sworn affidavit.
The lawmaker pointed out that invoking the right against self-incrimination is not applicable, noting that the resource person cannot incriminate himself when he has signed the affidavit, a public document.
Furthermore, Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop asked Grijaldo to explain the basis for invoking his right against self-incrimination, but the Police Colonel did not provide a response.
"Police Colonel ka, imbestigador ka dati. You know the basic rudiments of investigation. Alam mo dapat kung kailan i-invoke ‘yung right to self-incrimination kasi nagco-conduct ka ng investigation," Acop mentioned.
"You are just telling me your ignorance of the law. You cannot invoke your right against self-incrimination. Tell me if you have a criminal case against you regading this issue. Galing ako sa serbisyo pero nakakahiya ka," he added.
What pushed Grijaldo to make the affidavit?
Suarez asked Grijaldo what prompted him to make the affidavit submitted to the Senate. In response, Grijaldo said he was "enlightened" after attending mass before the hearing at the upper chamber.
Despite this response, the police officer still refused to answer the questions posed by the lawmakers.
"The resource person is out of order, and let it be of record that he is continuously disrespecting this committee by refusing to answer appropriately to the questions propounded by the members," Surigao Del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers, the Committee Chairman, said.
Barbers mentioned that they are giving Grijaldo the opportunity to debunk the claims he made.
"Noong nasa Senado ka ang tapang-tapang mo. Bakit dito ayaw mo? Magtapang ka rito. Ipakita mo ‘yung the same candor, the same tapang na pinakita mo doon," said Barbers.
"Bakit hindi mo gawin ‘yan dito ngayon? Nagtatago ka sa likod ng ‘right against self-incrimination,’ ‘yung tinatanong sa’yo ay relevant question," he added.
Barbers then stated that the committee only seeks the truth regarding the issues they are probing. However, he noted that Grijaldo dragged the lawmakers into the matter, which he described as an unjust attempt to tarnish the committee's reputation.
"Nag-imbento ka ng kwento and then you speak about honor and then you speak about the gospel that was given to you by a priest, talking about honor. Alam mo ba kung bakit may honor? Pag hindi ka sinungaling, may honor ka," he added.
Later in the hearing, Rep. Fernandez revealed that they have a CCTV video in their possession showing the events during which Grijaldo claims he was coerced into testifying.
The video shows Grijaldo leaving the room, where he claims Fernandez and Abante entered and coerced him, but he was seen smiling and without any signs of restraint.
Grijaldo was once again cited in contempt for failing to respond to the questions posed by the panel members.
In response, Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano motioned for Grijaldo’s transfer to Quezon City Police Station 6 in Batasan until the probe ends, instead of keeping him at the Batasang Pambansa Complex. The motion was approved.
Grijaldo is detained in the House of Representatives after being cited in contempt for his repeated absences from the hearings conducted by the panel.
He faced questions regarding his actions as Mandaluyong Police chief in connection with the killing of PCSO Board Secretary Wesley Barayuga in 2020.
