MAG-I-INHIBIT si Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. sa pagdinig ng Quad Comm kung dadalo sa pagdinig si police Col. Hector Grijaldo, na muling inimbita sa isinasagawang imbestigasyon.

“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,” sabi ni Abante sa pahayag.

“This act reflects the values that I hold dear – values I believe should be shared by all public servants,” dagdag pa nito.

Ang pag-inhibit umano ni Abante, chairman ng House Committee on Human Rights, ay “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,” sabi pa nito.

Inakusahan ni Grijaldo sina Abante at co-chairman ng Quad Comm na si Rep. Dan Fernandez ng Sta. Rosa, Laguna na pumilit sa kanya na tumestigo sa mga bagay na wala naman siyang alam.

Itinanggi naman ito ni Abante at Fernandez.

“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,” sabi pa ni Abante.

Nagpasalamat din si Abante sa mga nagpahayag ng suporta sa kanya.

“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,” saad pa ng kongresista.

Noong Huwebes, itinanggi ng dalawang abugado ni retired police Col. Royina Garma na pinilit ng dalawang co-chairman ng House Quad Comm si Grijaldo upang kumpimahin ang reward system sa Duterte drug war.

Inilabas ng mga abugado na sina Emerito Quilang at Rotciv Cumigad ang pinag-isang pahayag bilang tugon sa sinabi ni Grijaldo sa pagdinig ng Senado noong Oktobre 28 na pinilit siyang tumestigo sa mga bagay na wala itong alam.

Sina Quilang at Cumigad ay nagsilbing saksi ng ipatawag si Grijaldo para kausapin nina Fernandez at Abante.

Sa pagdinig ng Quad Comm noong Huwebes, isinapubliko ni Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro ang naturang sulat ng mga abugado.

“I wish to invite the attention of the committee and the general public about this joint statement of the two lawyers whom I believe were present during that alleged incident or meeting,” sabi ni Luistro.

“If I may quote Mr. Chair the two lawyers state in this joint statement,” saad ng lady solon. “We would like to shed light on the nature of the interactions we observed the discussions were focused on ensuring clarity and understanding of Col. Garman’s affidavit particularly regarding any knowledge Col. 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.”

“Mr. Chair, I wish to manifest that this letter clears clearly our Chairman Abante and Chairman Fernandez from the allegation of coercion and harassment about that incident which allegedly transpired during the hearing where Col. Grijaldo attended as testified to during the Senate investigation,” saad pa nito.

“With the enlightenment given to us by the counsels of record of Col. Garma, I am urging the Quad Committee, particularly Chairman Abante and Chairman Fernandez, to take the necessary action in order to penalize the perjured statement that Col. Grijaldo gave during the Senate investigation,” pagpapagtuloy pa nito.

Hiniling ni lead committee chairman Rep. Robert Ace Barbers ng Surigao del Norte Barbers sa committee secretariat na isama sa rekord ng komite ang pahayag ng mga abugado.

“Let it be on record that the letter sent to us by the lawyers of Col. Garma attests to the fact that there was no pressure employed in the meeting that was held between Cong. Fernandez and Cong. Abante and Col. Grijaldo,” sabi ni Barbers.

Sinabi ng mga abugado na ninais nilang lumabas upang tugunan ang sinabi ni Grijaldo na pinilit ito na magsalita.

“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,” sabi ng mga abugado.

“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,” pagpapatuloy ng mga ito.

Sabi pa nila, “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.”

Inilarawan din ng mga abugado sina Fernandez at Abante na propesyunal ang dalawa.

“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,” sabi ng mga abugado. “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.”

Nauna ng tumestigo sina Garma at retired police Col. Jovie Espenido kaugnay ng reward system sa Duterte drug war.