It’s about honor and dedication — Abante
On inhibition from Quad Comm
QUAD Comm co-chairman Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. of Manila on Friday said a sense of honor and delicadeza prompted him to inhibit himself from the mega panel’s proceedings whenever police Col. Hector Grijaldo is a resource person or a witness.
“My decision to step aside during the testimony of Col. Grijaldo is one guided by honor and delicadeza. As a public servant, I believe it is essential to remove even the perception of a conflict of interest so that the vital work of the Quad Committee can proceed without distractions,” he said in a statement.
“This act reflects the values that I hold dear – values I believe should be shared by all public servants,” he said.
Abante, who chairs the House Committee on Human Rights, said his track record “reflects my belief that decency, honor, and integrity are non-negotiable.”
“While others may not feel bound by these principles, I believe that in the House of Representatives we must lead by example and show our countrymen that they have leaders who will not use their positions to further their own interests,” he added.
The Manila lawmaker and another co-chairman, Rep. Dan Fernandez of Sta. Rosa, Laguna, have earlier announced their decision to stay away from Quad Comm whenever Grijaldo, former Mandaluyong City police chief, testifies.
Grijaldo has claimed that the two co-chairmen have coerced him into confirming the existence of a lucrative system of rewards for rouge policemen and hitmen who killed drug suspects during the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs.
Abante said he and Fernandez’s inhibition decision “is the principled thing to do following baseless allegations involving our conversations with a witness called to testify in the ongoing inquiry into the previous administration’s bloody war on drugs.”
“Let me reiterate: There is absolutely no truth to these accusations. By God’s grace, I have strived to always conduct myself with integrity, and I categorically deny any wrongdoing,” he said.
He thanked “all those who have expressed support for me and the mission of the Quad Committee.”
“My resolve to seek justice for the victims and their families remains steadfast, and I will continue to work to exact accountability for the crimes committed against them,” he said.
On Thursday, in the course of the mega panel’s 10th hearing on extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro called attention to a joint statement issued by two lawyers of retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma.
In their joint declaration, lawyers Emerito Quilang and Rotciv Cumigad said as witnesses during the meeting between Abante and Fernandez and Grijaldo, “we feel compelled to address the recent claims made regarding the supposed coercion and manipulation of testimony involving Colonel Garma’s affidavit.”
“First and foremost, we wish to clarify that we were called solely to be witnesses or observers during this meeting. Our role was limited to observing the meeting, and we did not engage in any discussions. The dialogue was primarily between Congressman Dan Fernandez and Congressman Abante, who were the only individuals actively speaking,” they said.
“The discussions were focused on ensuring clarity and understanding of Colonel Garma’s affidavit, particularly regarding any knowledge Colonel Grijaldo might have about the reward system mentioned in it. At no point did any of the congressmen attempt to pressure Mr. Grijaldo into conforming to a predetermined narrative,” they said.
The two lawyers added, “Throughout the meeting, we can affirm that we did not witness any form of coercion or undue influence directed toward Mr. Grijaldo. The discussions taking place were cordial and respectful.”
They pointed out that the two Quad Comm co-chairmen “engaged in a dialogue that was both professional and focused on the matters at hand.”
“At no point did we see or hear any actions or statements that could be interpreted as pressuring Mr. Grijaldo to conform to a specific narrative,” they stressed.
“Our intention in providing this statement is to clarify the nature of the interactions that occurred and to provide an unbiased and factual account of the events,” they added.
Garma and retired police Col. Jovie Espenido have testified to the existence of the well-funded reward system for killing drug suspects.
