Ex-Mandaluyong police chief Grijaldo cited in contempt anew
Metro Manila, Philippines - Lawmakers cited former Mandaluyong police chief PCol Hector Grijaldo in contempt again for refusing to answer questions during a hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Grijaldo told a Senate hearing last year that House quad-committee chairpersons Manila Rep. Benny Abante and Santa Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez coerced him to corroborate the testimony of PCol Royina Garma (ret.) about the drug war reward system.
Garma’s lawyers, who were present during the meeting with the two lawmakers and two police officers, denied Grijaldo’s claim.
At the House of Representatives quad panel hearing, Abante and Fernandez inhibited from interpellating and instead took their oaths to answer queries of their fellow lawmakers.
Grijaldo was asked about his Senate testimony, but he kept on answering: “I will stand by my statement at the Senate under oath, and I would like to invoke my right [against] self-incrimination.”
Grijaldo’s response drew dismay from House lawmakers, even prompting Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop to cite Grijaldo in contempt.
The former cop has been detained at the House of Representatives since Dec. 14. With the new contempt order, he will be transferred to the Quezon City Police Station 6.
The first contempt order against Grijaldo was issued after he skipped the hearings.
Meanwhile, the panel lifted the contempt order against former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Wilkins Villanueva after he filed a motion for reconsideration.
The order was issued last December also due to refusal to answer queries.
The contempt was supposed to be implemented this month to give way to the holiday season.
