Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. and Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez at no point attempted to pressure retired Police Colonel Royina Garma into conforming to a predetermined narrative before the Quad Committee, the latter’s legal counsel said in a joint statement.
The joint statement written by Atty. Emerito Quilang and Atty. Rotciv Cumigad details their observation of the said incident between the two lawmakers. Garma’s counsels clarified that their client gave the testimony on her own accord, without any threats. From what they saw, the two lawmakers only wished to understand Garma’s affidavit, specifically regarding PCol. Hector Grijaldo, on the rewards system.
“At no point did any of the congressmen attempt to pressure Mr. Grijaldo into conforming to a predetermined narrative,” the two counsels said.
“Throughout the meeting, we can affirm that we did not witness any form of coercion or undue influence directed toward Mr. Grijaldo. The discussions taking place were cordial and respectful. Congressman Dan Fernandez and Congressman Abante engaged in a dialogue that was both professional and focused on the matters at hand,” it added.
The allegations stemmed from the Police Colonel’s testimony before the Senate inquiry last October 28, detailing how the two congressmen coerced and manipulated him into confirming the existence of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs reward system.
Considering the two lawyers’ joint statement, Congresswoman Gerville Luistro manifested that the allegations against the two lawmakers were false.
“I wish to manifest that this letter clears our Chairman Abante and Chairman Fernandez from the allegations of coercion and harassment, about that incident, which allegedly transpired during the hearing where PCol. Grijaldo attended as testified to during the Senate investigation,” Luistro said.
“With the enlightenment that was given to us, by the counsel of record of (former) Col. Garma, I am urging the Quad, particularly Chairman Abante and Chairman Fernandez to take the necessary action. In order to penalize the perjured statement that PCol. Grijaldo gave during the Senate investigation,” she added.
Luistro requested that the letter be shared with the media to clear the two chairpersons' names.
“Let it be of record that the letters sent to us attesting to the fact that there was no pressure employed in the meeting that was held between Fernandez and Abante, and Grijaldo,” Quad Comm chairperson Robert Ace Barbers said.
