(Eagle News)– Kabayan part-list has formed a panel that will investigate its representative Harry Roque over his alleged improper manner of questioning Ronnie Dayan, the former driver-bodyguard of Senator Leila De Lima, during a House inquiry on November 24.
The three-person panel would probe Roque for concentrating his inquiry on the details of Dayan’s past relationship with De Lima instead of his alleged involvement with drug lords inside New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
“We can ignore the actuations of these other congressmen, but we cannot tolerate the same from one who represents us,” said Kabayan party-list group’s spiritual adviser Pastor Cesar Pabuayon in a statement.
Pabuayon cited the part during Roque’s interpellation, in which the lawmaker asked: “Pinagsamantalahan mo ba itong si Leila de Lima nung nagkaroon kayo ng relasyon? Siya ba ay mukhang maselan nang kayo ay magkaroon ng relasyon?”
Dayan said he did not see if the bag handed to him by alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa in 2014 for De Lima contained money, but said he could feel that it was money. Dayan used the Filipino term for feel, “salat.”
In a separate statement, Kabayan’s other representative Ron Salo, seconded Pabuayon and said Roque’s behavior during the House inquiry “tainted the reputation” of their party-list.
Roque retorted he did not recognize the legality of the board organized to investigate him.
Roque said the board was formed for the benefit and protection of Salo.
“Salo is obviously in panic mode after he was indicted for his role in the anomalous Php 3.8 billion Motor Vehicle License Plate Standardization Program (MVLPSP) at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) during the Aquino administration,” Roque explained.
He said Salo was the one who should be investigated by the party-list, adding that his fellow congressman was already facing charges in court for estafa through falsification of documents.
Roque said another complaint—this time for graft and corruption—had earlier been filed against Salo and other personalities in connection with a motor vehicle license plate deal.
“A plunder case is also reportedly being readied against Rep. Salo in the Department of Justice (DOJ). Rep. Salo has earned for himself the ignominy of being a criminal participant in one of the Aquino administration’s – and the Liberal Party’s – worst legacies,” added Roque.
