Garma, Leonardo skip Senate drug war probe due to health reasons

Former police Col. Royina Garma answers questions from lawmakers during the House’s 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. (FILE PHOTO from the House of Representatives media bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — Health reasons forced two key personalities in the Duterte administration’s drug war to skip the Senate investigation into the matter on Monday.

According to Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, retired police colonel Royina Garma could not attend the hearing of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee as she was scheduled for medical checkups.

On the other hand, Resigned National Police Commission chief Edilberto Leonardo has COVID, added Pimentel, who is leading the probe as chairman of the subcommittee.

Pimentel admitted that the absence of the two could affect their initial probe.

“Apektado but nangyayari itong mga ganitong bagay naman talaga even in courts. Wala ‘yung witness, maysakit, nangyayari naman ‘yun. Basta hindi kami binobola ha, ‘yun ang importante hindi kami binobola,” he told reporters shortly before the hearing began at 10 a.m.

(We’re affected by this, but they do happen, even in courts. When a witness is sick, that’s common. As long as we’re not being fooled, that’s what’s important—not being deceived.)

Garma and Leonardo have already testified in a separate investigation being conducted at the House of Representatives.

READ: Garma says Davao drug war template, rewards system applied in entire PH 

In her testimony at the House, Garma claimed that it was former President Rodrigo Duterte who ordered the creation of a national task force that implemented the bloody war on drugs, similar to the Davao model where police officers were allegedly rewarded per drug suspect killed.

The task force, according to her, was led by Leonardo.

READ: Leonardo: Rewards system existed; validates Garma’s testimony 

Despite their absence, the Senate panel pushed through with the probe with Duterte himself on the witness stand, as well as other resource persons, including former Sen. Leila de Lima.

READ: Duterte to be summoned to Senate-led drug war probe, says Bato