Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo. YouTube/House of Representative

MANILA – Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo, who repeatedly skipped the House Quad Committee's hearings, stood by his statement at the Senate but refused to answer when further pressed by lawmakers.

He faced the mega panel in its 14th hearing on Tuesday, where he was asked about his affidavit at the upper chamber.

When he faced the Senate, Grijaldo alleged Quad Comm co-chairperson Rep. Dan Fernandez asked coerced him to confirm the supplemental affidavit of former police officer Royina Garma on the supposed drug war reward system.

Garma claimed that P20,000 to P1 million were given as reward for killing drug suspects during the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

Another co-chairperson Rep. Bienvenido Abante was allegedly present during the said conversation.

Garma’s lawyers, who were present during the said meeting issued a joint affidavit on Grijaldo's claim, saying they did not witness any form of coercion.

During the discussion with Grijaldo, Fernandez and Abante inhibited themselves and took their oath, citing willingness to answer questions as resource persons.

Grijaldo drew the ire of lawmakers when he refused to answer the questions of House Deputy Speaker Rep. David Suarez, asking him to confirm the contents of his affidavit.

READ: Hector Grijaldo detained at House facility -- Barbers

READ: Grijaldo cited in contempt after skipping House quad comm probe for fourth time

"I stand by my statement at the Senate under oath, your honor. I would like to invoke my right to self-incrimination," Grijaldo repeatedly said.

"That right is not absolute Colonel Grijaldo in so far as those statements were said under oath and minutes of the Senate are public documents," Suarez said.

"I don't think it's incriminating because sinumapaang salaysay niya ito eh. So how can you incriminate yourself when you actually signed this affidavit? And this is a public document… I think that is out of order," he added.

Quad Comm lead chairperson Rep. Robert Ace Barbers slammed Grijaldo for "disrespecting the committee by refusing to answer properly."

"Nagtatago ka sa likod ng right against self-incrimination eh ang tinatanong sayo ay relevant question. Ano? Matapang ka lang sa Senado kasi may kakampi ka? Dito ka magpakita ng tapang mo," he said. 

"Dinamay mo pa yung mga kasama namin. Hindi dahil kasama namin sila, hindi tama ang ginawa mo. You are trying to besmirch the reputation of this committee," Barbers added.

Lanao Del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong also questioned Grijaldo for repeatedly invoking his right against self-incrimination.

"Tigilan mo yan. It's not right to invoke his right to self-incrimination when in fact DS Jay-Jay is just asking him any questions, but merely reading from his affidavit… His participation in that Senate hearing was merely to besmirch the reputation of some of the chairmen here," he said.

WHY GRIJALDO FACED THE SENATE

Suarez asked Grijaldo what pushed him to execute the affidavit at the Senate.

The police officer said he was "enlightened" after attending mass prior to the hearing at the upper chamber.

"We need to go on a Sunday mass, we need wisdom for this para maresolve namin," Grijaldo shared.

"It was a great enlightenment and wisdom na binigay sa akin, your honor. The gospel said it's not all about the crown, it's all about the cross. It's not about the honor but about the sacrifice. It's not being the first, but being the last. It's not being the great but being the servant," he added.

Grijaldo said his wife, who was initially against him appearing before the Senate, gave in to his decision.

"Nag-imbento ka ng kwento and then you speak about honor and then you speak about the gospel that was given to you by a priest, talking about honor. Alam mo ba kung bakit may honor? Pag hindi ka sinungaling, may honor ka," Barbers said.

Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop criticized Grijaldo for his refusal to answer properly, after he was pressed on the alleged coercion.

"You are just telling me your ignorance of the law. You cannot invoke your right against self-incrimination. Tell me do you have a criminal case against you on this issue. Galing akong serbisyo pero nakakahiya ka," Acop said. 

Suarez criticized Grijaldo for his accusations against Reps. Fernandez and Abante.

"These are serious accusations in your affidavit, Colonel Grijaldo.. Because of your accusations, you’ve tarnished the very reputation and integrity of the committee of the House of Representatives," he said.

Suarez then asked Grijaldo about his absence to previous hearings, which he said was due to therapy and an operation on his left shoulder.

The police officer has been detained at the House detention facility since December 2024, after he was cited in contempt for skipping the mega panel's hearings.

Lawmakers asked Grijaldo if he wanted to go into an executive session to detail his Senate testimony but he refused.