Lawmakers cited Police Col. Hector Grijaldo for contempt anew, accusing him of disrespecting the panel and undermining its integrity.
Grijaldo has been detained in the House of Representatives since December 14 after the mega-panel cited him for contempt for refusing to attend previous hearings.
During the hearing yesterday, he repeatedly invoked his right against self-incrimination when asked to answer questions about the affidavit he submitted to the Senate.
On a motion by Quad Comm Co-Chair Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, the committee ordered Grijaldo’s transfer to the detention facility of the Quezon City Police District Station 6, located just in front of the Batasang Pambansa complex.
In his Senate affidavit, Grijaldo accused Quad Comm Co-Chairs Reps. Dan Fernandez (Santa Rosa City) and Bienvenido Abante Jr. (Manila, 6th District) pressuring him to confirm a reward system tied to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
Grijaldo alleged that Fernandez handed him a supplemental affidavit purportedly from retired Police Colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Royina Garma and instructed him to affirm its contents.
Both Fernandez and Abante vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “lies of the highest level.”
Quad Comm lead chair Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers took issue with Grijaldo’s refusal to clarify his Senate affidavit.
“The resource person is out of order, and let it be on record that he is continuously disrespecting this committee by refusing to answer appropriately,” Barbers said.
He also questioned the disparity between Grijaldo’s behavior in the Senate and his demeanor before the House.
Barbers accused Grijaldo of fabricating stories to tarnish the committee’s reputation.
He warned Grijaldo against undermining the panel’s constitutional mandate.
“This committee is not some made-up body. It was sanctioned by the Constitution and approved by more than 300 members of Congress who have the mandate of the people. Do not disrespect the committee,” Barbers said.
When asked by Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David Suarez to confirm the accuracy of his affidavit, Grijaldo invoked his right against self-incrimination multiple times.
“I stand by my statement in the Senate under oath, Your Honor, and I invoke my right [against] self-incrimination,” Grijaldo said.