Kerwin Espinosa gave De Lima money five times in 2014 —Dayan

Ronnie Dayan on Thursday claimed his former boss Sen. Leila de Lima received money from suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa five times in 2014.

During his testimony before the House justice committee, Dayan said he collected the money from Espinosa and delivered it to the former Justice secretary. 

"Meron po akong natanggap na pera mula kay Kerwin Espinosa para kay Secretary De Lima. Mga five times po. Ang perang ibinibigay sa inaabot sa akin, nasa paper bag na maliit. Hindi ko na po binibilang at hindi na rin sinasabi ni Kerwin kung magkano 'yun," said Dayan.

During the handing over of the money, Espinosa allegedly would tell Dayan, "Eto na 'yung para kay Ma'am."

Dayan said he would get the money and place it at the front seat of the car. "Hindi ko po alam kung magkano 'yung laman nung binibigay sa 'kin na paper bag kasi hindi ko lang po sinisilip. Sinasalat ko po," he said.

Dayan said Espinosa handed him money for De Lima once in August 2014, once in October 2014, and three times in November 2014. The first four times of their meeting was at a shopping mall in Pasay City. The last time Espinosa gave money was at the parking lot of the place where Espinosa was then staying in Baguio City.

Dayan said Espinosa checked in at the place on November 19, 2014, and he met with De Lima three days later or on November 22, 2014.

Dayan said he was always alone whenever he would meet with Espinosa.

"Si Kerwin po mismo ang nag-aabot nung pera. At inaabot ko ang mga ito kay Ma'am pagdating sa bahay sa mismong kwarto," said Dayan.

"Automatic na po 'yan kasi 'pag mga ganung... parang masasabi natin na sikreto, hindi ko na inaakyat sa office niya. Sa bahay na lang," he added.

Dayan also recalled an instance when he asked money from De Lima. "Kumuha na lang siya roon sa pinaglagyan niya ng paper bag. Sabi ko, magde-day-off na ko, wala akong pera. Magbibigay siya, P25,000 to P30,000," he said.

On Tuesday, de Lima denied allegations of supposedly receiving P8 million from Espinosa, saying the claim was part of the Duterte administration’s “grand plan” to link her to illegal drug operations. —KG, GMA News