House readies possible detention cell of Ronnie Dayan in Batasan

The House of Representatives on Tuesday started preparing the detention cell of Ronnie Dayan, the former driver and security aide of Sen. Leila de Lima, on the second floor of the House Legislative Security Bureau inside the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City.

House justice committee chairperson and Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali showed to reporters the room  that would be converted into Dayan's detention room when he is turned over to the chamber by the police.

The room is in the building also houses the office of the House Sergeant-at-Arms.

Rep. Umali shows to media the holding facility for Ronnie Dayan. Photo by Mark Merueñas

Umali admitted that the facility may not be the best place to keep a high-profile personality like Dayan, but said the room, which does not even have railings for its jalousie-type windows, will do for now.

"Jalousie lang iyan pero pag pinosasaa mo na iyan at inilagay mo sa isang ano... baka puwede na," said Umali, adding that they will still have to consult with the House sergeant-at-arms about the issue.

Umali pointed out that the House Legislative Security Bureau sits near a police station.

Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Farinas, who also inspected the room, said he would rather let the Philippine National Police continue holding Dayan.

"Jalousie, maski bata, alisin mo lang ang apat na clip... [tapos] glass windows pa and it's not really designed for detention," said Fariñas.

However, Fariñas said he would still like Dayan to be brought first to the House of Representatives before being returned to the PNP.

"Malamang, sa PNP [dapat siya ikulong] kasi sila ang naka-aresto," said the lawmaker.

"Pag-uusapan namin kung overnight lang [siya dito]. I want to talk to him also. Bakit siya nagtago and everything and then from there we'll decide," said Fariñas.

He said the House justice committee would reconvene tomorrow (Wednesday) or Thursday and decide what to do Dayan, and whether to re-open the investigation on the proliferation of illegal drugs.

Several convicts jailed at the New Bilibid Prison earlier testified before a House justice panel inquiry that Dayan allegedly collected drug money from drug lords and other inmates for De Lima's campaign kitty.

Dayan failed to show up in the House panel's investigation but the justice committee still came up with a report on the proliferation of drugs inside the national penitentiary.

After completing its probe, the panel decided to form a sub-committee to conduct further investigation on Dayan and hold him in contempt for snubbing invites from the House of Representatives.

The House also eventually ordered Dayan's arrest. He was nabbed in La Union Tuesday morning. — VVP, GMA News