Reps Fernandez, Abante deny pressuring witness in House probe

The House Quad Committee chairperson, Representative Robert Ace Barbers, stated that an incident involving committee co-chairpersons and a police officer will serve as a learning experience for future interactions with witnesses.

The co-chairpersons, Representatives Dan Fernandez and Bienvenido Abante, were accused by Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo of pressuring him to support former Police Colonel Royina Garma's affidavit regarding a drug war reward system.

Barbers clarified that Fernandez and Abante had no ill intentions when they spoke with Grijaldo.

Fernandez and Abante recused themselves from the committee discussion on the matter and appeared as resource persons to address Grijaldo's accusations.

Both congressmen denied forcing Grijaldo to corroborate Garma's supplemental affidavit, explaining they were merely following Garma's request to have her classmate and friend Grijaldo provide corroboration.