Daven Tamayo

Lawmaker: Grijaldo 'wrong' for invoking right against self-incrimination

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – House Quad Committee lead chairperson Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said it is wrong for Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo to invoke his right against self-incrimination when being asked by lawmakers.Grijaldo appeared before the mega panel&#x27;s first hearing for the year on Tuesday.He came face to face with Quad Comm co-chairpersons Rep. Dan Fernandez and Rep. Bienvenido Abante, the two lawmakers he claimed coerced him to corroborate the supplemental affidavit of former police officer Royina Garma on the supposed reward system of the Duterte administration&#x27;s drug war.The two congressmen inhibited during the discussion on the incident and took their oath as resource persons. They both denied Grijaldo&#x27;s claims of coercion.During the hearing, Grijaldo repeatedly invoked his right against self-incrimination when being asked about his affidavit and testimony at the Senate.Barbers said it will be challenging to get information from Grijaldo due to his actions.&quot;We cannot actually force him to say, to answer to our questions kasi siyempre that&#x27;s his right. He his invoking his right against self-incrimination which is wrong. Because number one wala namang kaso na kinasasangkutan niya at the moment,&quot; he said.&quot;He cannot invoke that because ang pagtatanong ay base naman sa kanyang affidavit na binigay sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. It only proves to us na he is trying to be evasive saka hindi cooperative sa mga tanong,&quot; Barbers added.For the Surigao del Norte congressman, Grijaldo&#x27;s actions are a manifestation of disrespect to the committee.&quot;Gusto lang niya manahimik dahil ayaw lang niyang sagutin? Dahil alam niyang ipit na siya eh. Alam niyang wala nang credibility yung kanyang pinagsasabi sa Senado,&quot; he said.Grijaldo was later cited in contempt anew for refusal to answer questions.The mega panel ordered he be transferred to the Quezon City Police District Station 6, located across the Batasang Pambansa complex.&quot;Baka by tomorrow. I think the Sergeant-at-Arms will make arrangements with the Station 6. At kapag ready na yun, itatransfer na siya doon,&quot; Barbers said.Grijaldo has been in detention at the House of Representatives since December 2024, after he was cited in contempt for skipping the mega panel&#x27;s hearings.Barbers said they still want to get information from Grijaldo on the investigation into the murder case of slain retired Police General and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.&quot;Lumabas sa pagtatanong ng members… parang mali yung report. Natanong ko nga is General Barayuga included in the drug watchlist? Hindi niya sinagot,&quot; he added.Authorities reopened the investigation of the Barayuga case following a testimony in a Quad Comm hearing that implicated former National Police Commission commissioner Edilberto Leonardo and former PCSO general manager Royina Garma in the killing.

House Quad Committee lead chairperson Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said it is wrong for Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo to invoke his right against self-incrimination when being asked by lawmakers.

House Quad Committee lead chairperson Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said it is wrong for Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo to invoke his right against self-incrimination when being asked by lawmakers.