Duterte-era cop accused of 'bankrolling' own party-list using PCSO funds | ABS-CBN
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Duterte-era cop accused of 'bankrolling' own party-list using PCSO funds
Duterte-era cop accused of 'bankrolling' own party-list using PCSO funds
Former Cebu City Police Office Director and PCSO chief Royina Garma answers questions from the Quad-Committee on September 12, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
Former Cebu City Police Office Director and PCSO chief Royina Garma answers questions from the Quad-Committee on September 12, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — A former police officer said to have close ties with former President Rodrigo Duterte was grilled by House lawmakers Friday over her "lavish" properties as well as "donations" she made to a party-list when she was general manager of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
MANILA — A former police officer said to have close ties with former President Rodrigo Duterte was grilled by House lawmakers Friday over her "lavish" properties as well as "donations" she made to a party-list when she was general manager of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
During the 7th quad committee hearing on EJK, POGOs, and illegal drugs, Royina Garma confirmed that she set up STL party-list during the time she was general manager of PCSO. Garma was appointed by Duterte as PCSO chief from 2019 to 2022.
During the 7th quad committee hearing on EJK, POGOs, and illegal drugs, Royina Garma confirmed that she set up STL party-list during the time she was general manager of PCSO. Garma was appointed by Duterte as PCSO chief from 2019 to 2022.
"Yes [we set up] STL or Samahan ng Totoong Larong May Puso [party-list]," she told Rep. Dan Fernandez, who raised the particular issue.
"Yes [we set up] STL or Samahan ng Totoong Larong May Puso [party-list]," she told Rep. Dan Fernandez, who raised the particular issue.
Asked if she infused money from PCSO to a foundation linked to the party-list, Garma initially said "no" but then said, "I cannot recall."
Asked if she infused money from PCSO to a foundation linked to the party-list, Garma initially said "no" but then said, "I cannot recall."
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Rep. Dan Fernandez revealed that STL party-list also donated around 5 houses to some residents in Cebu City, raising questions on where the group was getting its funds. House of Representatives
Rep. Dan Fernandez revealed that STL party-list also donated around 5 houses to some residents in Cebu City, raising questions on where the group was getting its funds. House of RepresentativesFernandez then presented a Facebook post of STL party-list announcing that PCSO had donated P2 million to the STL Foundation "that directly benefitted your party-list," which listed Garma's cousin as its second nominee.
The first nominee, Yvonne Barandog, was the wife of a Chuck Barandog, a police officer close to Garma, Fernandez said.
The first nominee, Yvonne Barandog, was the wife of a Chuck Barandog, a police officer close to Garma, Fernandez said.
Fernandez also revealed that STL party-list donated around 5 houses to some residents in Cebu City, raising questions on where the group was getting its funds.
Fernandez also revealed that STL party-list donated around 5 houses to some residents in Cebu City, raising questions on where the group was getting its funds.
Barandog said businessmen donated the money to his wife's group.
Barandog said businessmen donated the money to his wife's group.
'HILLTOP MANSION'
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma answers questions at a briefing held at the sweepstakes headquarters in Mandaluyong City on July 31, 2019. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma answers questions at a briefing held at the sweepstakes headquarters in Mandaluyong City on July 31, 2019. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsEarlier in the hearing, Garma was also accused of owning a "mansion" at a place called Hilltop.
Earlier in the hearing, Garma was also accused of owning a "mansion" at a place called Hilltop.
The former cop initially denied owning the property, which Fernandez said was used by PCSO for its team building in Nov. 2021.
The former cop initially denied owning the property, which Fernandez said was used by PCSO for its team building in Nov. 2021.
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"It's not my property [but] I developed it," Garma said.
"It's not my property [but] I developed it," Garma said.
Asked why she would develop a property that was not hers, Garma said the place had potential to be used by officials.
Asked why she would develop a property that was not hers, Garma said the place had potential to be used by officials.
"There's a structure, I just improved it para mapakinabangan... Maganda kasi yung place and naisip ko po malapit sa may detachment din po doon," she said, dodging questions on who owns it.
"There's a structure, I just improved it para mapakinabangan... Maganda kasi yung place and naisip ko po malapit sa may detachment din po doon," she said, dodging questions on who owns it.
She later admitted that she was the one who spent for its improvement.
She later admitted that she was the one who spent for its improvement.
Garma was being investigated for her role in Duterte's brutal drug war when she was still with the Philippine National Police. Following her retirement from police service, lawmaker said Garma, who supposedly had "special ties" to Duterte, was appointed to several "juicy" positions.
Garma was being investigated for her role in Duterte's brutal drug war when she was still with the Philippine National Police. Following her retirement from police service, lawmaker said Garma, who supposedly had "special ties" to Duterte, was appointed to several "juicy" positions.
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