Ronnie Dayan cited in contempt for refusing to testify vs. De Lima

A Quezon City court on Wednesday cited Ronnie Dayan, Senator Leila de Lima's former driver and bodyguard, in indirect contempt for refusing to testify against the lawmaker in a disobedience to summons case.

Dayan was fined P200, De Lima's lawyer, Filibon Tacardon, said after a hearing at the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 34, according to a transcript provided by the senator's office.

Dayan, who is also an accused in the case, invoked his right against self-incrimination, the lawyer said, adding the defense did not expect Dayan to talk.

"Kung magtestigo siya sa kaso ni Senator De Lima, siguradong maiipit siya sa mga paratang sa kanya. So, depensa niya, nirerespeto namin kung anong gusto ng abogado niya na gawin," Tacardon said, according to the transcript.

The case before the court stems from an allegation that De Lima advised Dayan to snub a 2016 House inquiry on the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison.

Former House leaders Pantaleon Alvarez, Rodolfo Fariñas and Reynaldo Umali filed the complaint before the Department of Justice, which soon after indicted De Lima, its former chief.

Disobedience to summons is punishable by a prison term of one month and one day to six months and/or a fine of P200 to P1,000, according to the Revised Penal Code. De Lima has been detained on drug-related charges for two years.  —KBK, GMA News