House cites Ronnie Dayan in contempt; arrest order out

DRUG TRADE HEARING. The continuation of drug trade Congressional hearing at the House of Representatives, Quezon City. INQUIRER PHOTO/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

The House of Representatives justice committee has cited in contempt Ronnie Dayan, the former driver of Senator Leila de Lima, for snubbing the congressional inquiry into the proliferation of drugs at the New Bilibid Prison.

During the last day of the hearing, Majority Floor Leader Rudy Farinas moved for the approval of his motion to cite Dayan in contempt for his failure to explain why he should not be cited in contempt.

READ: Sister receives summons for De Lima’s driver

Acting chair Oriental Mindoro Rep. Doy Leachon put the motion to a vote. At least 12 members voted for the motion, which was approved.

“The motion is carried, and Ronnie Palisoc Dayan is therefore being held in contempt by this committee, and correspondingly, an arrest warrant be issued against him to compel his presence before this committee to testify as regards the materiality of all allegations stated against him, before the committee could ferret out the truth on the matters being investigated to,” Leachon said.

Justice committee chairperson Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali later said he has signed the order citing Dayan in contempt and ordering Dayan arrested.

“This chair has signed the order of contempt… by vote of two third of members of this committee on justice… You are hereby cited in contempt for your refusal without legal excuse to obey the summon issued by the committee on Sept 28. and to comply with show cause order on Oct. 6,” Umali said.

“As a consequence you shall be ordered arrested and detained until you comply with the orders of this committee, so ordered Oct. 10, signed by the chair,” Umali added.

Umali said police operatives can now arrest Dayan and bring him to the House where he will be detained by the sergeant-at-arms.

Bilibid inmates alleged that Dayan collected the drug money for De Lima in the prison drug trade.

Convicted kidnapper Jaybee Sebastian however said it was not Dayan but De Lima’s former security aide Jonel Sanchez who received drug payola for De Lima./rga/ac

READ: De Lima ex-driver ordered to explain absence in Bilibid probe