The House of Representatives Quad Committee on Thursday ordered the arrest of Col. Hector Grijaldo for contempt over his failure to attend its hearings for the fourth time despite repeated invitations and medical evaluations indicating he was fit to appear.
A resource person in the committee’s inquiry, Grijaldo had not returned since his appearance in the Senate.
He earlier accused two Quad Comm leaders of coercing him to corroborate former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma’s testimony about an alleged reward system during the Duterte administration’s drug war.
Quad Comm co-chairs Sta. Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. denied the accusations, calling them fabrications.
Grijaldo claimed he was recovering from a rotator cuff syndrome operation, but lawmakers expressed skepticism.
Taguig City Rep. Pammy Zamora moved to cite him in contempt. Quad Comm lead chair and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers approved the motion after it was seconded without objections.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong then moved that Grijaldo be detained at the House of Representatives detention facility until the committee concludes its hearings.
The Philippine National Police disclosed that Grijaldo was given 10 days to submit a counter-affidavit as part of the pre-charge evaluation.
Lawmakers sought clarification on whether multiple absences would lead to additional charges.
