Ex-police official Garma appeals House contempt order

Former police Col. Royina Garma answers questions from lawmakers during the fifth quad-committee hearing held on Thursday, September 12, 2024. Garma was cited for contempt by the panel after Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano found her lying and evasive in her answers. (Photo from the House of Representatives media bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — Former police Col. Royina Garma cried at the end of the House quad committee hearing on Thursday and appealed that the contempt order against her be overturned.

She was cited for contempt for lying about her link to former President Rodrigo Duterte. The quad panel invited her to the hearing as she was linked to the killing of three Chinese nationals detained at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in August 2016.

“I wanted to answer the questions, I have a daughter waiting for me who attempted to kill herself three times, I cannot leave her, Mr. Chair, she’s waiting for me.  She attempted three times, that is why I cannot leave her.  I will answer all your questions Mr. Chair with regards to my travels, that is the real answer,” Garma said while crying.

Her appeal, however, was not entertained as Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano said Garma had been evasive from the start of the lawmakers’ questioning.

Lawmakers then urged her to file a motion for reconsideration and submit the medical certificates of her daughter.

Garma initially denied being close to Duterte, but she eventually changed her tone.

“I was asking you a while ago, we are just running in circles. Now given you were floated 2011, but after that, all of the positions you got were juicy, you can never stay, you toured Davao, and you will not be deployed as (head of the) CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) in Region 7 … if you are not close to the president,” Paduano said.

“You’re telling me that it’s the chief [of the] PNP (Philippine National Police)? Now if it’s the Chief PNP, why were you appointed PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office) general manager 15 days after retirement if if you’re not chosen, if you’re not close, if you’re not special to the president?” Paduano asked.  “Why are you not answering?”

“Perhaps Mr. Chair I am special,” Garma said.

She was then ordered detained at the House premises until the quad-committee finished its hearings.

READ: Ex-prison head does a 180: Garma called me over ops vs slain Chinese 

Earlier, Bureau of Corrections S/Supt. Gerardo Padilla admitted again that Garma talked to him over the killing of the Chinese nationals.