Party-list to probe Harry Roque for alleged indecency in Dayan-De Lima inquiry

A party-list group has formed a panel that will investigate one of its representatives in the House over his manner of questioning Ronnie Dayan, the former driver-bodyguard of Sen. Leila De Lima, during a congressional hearing on November 24.

In a statement, Kabayan part-list said the three-person committee would probe Rep. Harry Roque for concentrating his interpellation on the details of Dayan's past relationship with De Lima rather than on his alleged ties with suspected drug lords.

"We can ignore the actuations of these other congressmen, but we cannot tolerate the same from one who represents us," said Pastor Cesar Pabuayon in a statement. Pabuyaon is Kabayan party-list group's spiritual adviser.

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?"

Pabuayon said Roque added to the already prurient atmosphere during the inquiry when he told Dayan, "Napakahilig mo namang magsalat."

Dayan had 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."

Pabuayon said their party-list had been "hounded by messages from disgusted and furious Kabayan party-list members and supporters."

He said Roque's "indecency extremely affected the party-list."

In a separate statement, Kabayan's other congressman, Rep. Ron Salo, echoed Pabuayon's sentiment and said Roque's behavior  during the House inquiry "tainted the reputation" of their party-list.

"This is a decision of the Board, of which I abstained," Salo said.

Salo claimed that it was Roque who convinced him to become fellow Kabayan nominee in the last May elections.

"Despite his [Roque's] infamy, I acceded because he was my ninong in the wedding," said Salo.

In response, Roque said 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.

Roque blamed Salo for the investigation, saying: "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 claimed the Kabayan press release was released by Salo's office.

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," said Roque.

Roque said Salo was indicted for his role as corporate counsel to Power Plates Development Concepts Inc. (PPI) and Dutch company J. Knieriem B.V. Goes (JKG), the Joint Venture that won the bidding for the license plate deal.

Roque said the head of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) who approved the contract was his former boss at the House of Representatives, Joseph Emilio Abaya.

Roque said Salo used to be part of the legislative staff of Abaya when he was still a law student. —NB, GMA News