MANILA – Congressmen Dan Fernandez and Bienvenido Abante Jr. has temporarily vacated their chairmanships in the House of Representatives’ quad committee after being accused of coercing witnesses.
The two were accused by former Mandaluyong City police chief Colonel Hector Grijaldo of pressuring him to confirm the drug war reward system.
“We will be trying to relief temporarily our chairmanship in order to discuss this in a transparent and impartial and honest investigation on this matter,” Fernandez said in a statement.
“Because this pertains to the integrity of this quad comm and we don’t want that this quad comm be deluged with so many bad comments about Chairman Abante and this representation,” he added.
During the Senate’s probe into the war on drugs, Grijaldo alleged that Fernandez and Abante spoke to him and retired police colonel Royina Garma’s lawyers on October 22, 2024.
According to Grijaldo, he was being forced by Fernandez and Abante to speak out about the reward system to corroborate with the statement made by Garma.
Garma earlier told the quad comm that there was a cash reward paid per killing in the Duterte administration’s war on drugs ranging from P20,000 to P1 million.
“I served as chief of police in Mandaluyong during the COVID-19 pandemic and there were less crimes committed. And we did not receive any reward from anyone,” Grijaldo said. “I added that we only received funds, additional MOA or support fund. And I have no personal knowledge as to the reward system.”
“It’s harassment and very offensive, Your Honor…..At that time, I was wearing my uniform,” he added. “Parang gusto nilang magsisinungaling ako, your honor.”
Fernandez and Abante have both denied the allegations of Grijaldo./PN
