SEVERAL lawmakers on Thursday established the close relationship that former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma had with ex-President Rodrigo Duterte despite the former’s vehement denial that she is not a trusted ally of the former Chief Executive.
Garma had earlier been accused of directly orchestrating the murders of three suspected Chinese drug lords at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF) named Chu Kin Tung, alias Tony Lim; Li Lan Yan, alias Jackson Li; and Wong Meng Pin, alias Wang Ming Ping in 2016.
During the Quad Committee hearing Thursday, Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrix” Luistro, Taguig Rep. Amparo Maria “Pammy” Zamora, Deputy Speaker David “Jayjay” Suarez and Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop took turns in questioning Garma about her career as a PNP official and later as PCSO general manager.
Luistro asked Garma about her background, pursuing questions about her education and her service at the PNP, including her stint as head of the PNP Women’s Desk in Davao City, in the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and as police chief of Cebu City during the war on drugs of the Duterte administration.
“I wish to maintain my statement, Mr. Chair, na bago po ma-appoint ang isang opisyal ng PNP sa isang area of jurisdiction, sa general practice, we always consult the local chief executive,” Luistro said, referring to former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the time of Garma’s police appointments.
“In other words, Mr. Chair, I wish to state that the reason why almost the entire career in PNP of Col. Garma was spent in Davao, the reason why she was appointed in Cebu City as city director and the reason why he was appointed as PCSO General Manager is because pinagkakatiwalaan po siya ng ating dating pangulo, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Luistro declared.
During the hearing, it was found out that Garma held several police post in Davao City, including being the station commander of Sasa and Sta. Ana in Davao City, being the head of Women’s Desk of the Davao City Police and as a police administration officer of the Davao City police station.
“Ang maliwanag po, Colonel, ay malaki ang tiwala sa inyo ng dating Pangulo,” Luistro said.
Zamora focused on news articles she gathered about Garma and her marital problems with her ex-husband Roland Vilela who was accused of raping a 17-year old commercial worker in 2005.
The lawmaker said according to news articles, Garma even appealed to then-Mayor Duterte to retain her ex-husband in Davao City as a member of the police force.
“Because countless articles, merong Rappler, iba’t iba pa nagsasabi dito na naging hingahan niyo ng sama ng loob nung panahon na ‘yun si Mayor Duterte and thus earning his trust,” Zamora asked Garma.
“Hindi po totoo yan,” was the only response of Garma.
“The reason why you were appointed for PCSO General Manager is because the President trusted you that you can discharge the functions of this office, tama po? Zamora added.
“It is possible, Mr. Chair,” Garma responded.
Garma also recounted the travails of her separation from Vilela, as she expressed concerns for the welfare of their daughter who was suffering from a special disability.
Suarez said that the PNP positions that Garma held were “plum areas,” meaning that without the intervention of Duterte, it would be very difficult to get the positions in Davao City and Cebu City, as well as the PCSO.
“Kung talagang totoo kayo sa posisyon na pinangangalagaan ninyo ang anak ninyo, hindi nyo siya ilalagay sa alanganin. Tiwala kayo na ‘pag nag-resign kayo – which was a gamble given that you still had ten more years of active service – you were sure, in your heart, that you will not put the welfare of your daughter in any harm,” Suarez said.
“Therefore, you applied for the position of PCSO (General Manager), a position so plum and so sweet that only the handpicked chosen ones of the President will be given,” he added.
Garma joined the PCSO in July 15, 2019 after retiring from the PNP in June 2019 with 24 years of service in her record.
Acop questioned how Garma could retire when she had a full 10 years of PNP service left.
“This representation, I think, would also believe that na ikaw ay nag-optional retirement because you knew for a fact that you can get the position in the PCSO,” Acop said.
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