Former President Rodrigo Duterte denied all allegations made against him by former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma, stating that her claims are entirely lies.
During a House quad-committee hearing, Garma stated that Duterte instructed her in May 2016 to find a Philippine National Police (PNP) officer or operative, as well as a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo, who could lead the war on drugs by replicating the Davao model.
"I do not remember calling her and for what?" Duterte said during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday.
"I hate to say this but nagsisinungaling iyang gag*ang iyan. Bakit ako mamili ng Iglesia ni Cristo?" he added.
He further stated that he did not care about the religion of the police officers, as long as they were fulfilling their duties.
He stated that the allegation remains a mystery to him to this day.
"Bakit ko siya tatawagan at bakit ko sabihin sa kanya maghanap ng Iglesia ni Cristo. Marami namang pulis sa Davao na myembro ng Iglesia ni Cristo," said Duterte.
"It's a lie or making up stories. I don't know what she's driving at or ano ang gusto niyang ipalabas at the end of the story," he added.
Furthermore, Duterte reiterated that he could not establish police units because he did not have that kind of authority while he was in office.
He further stated that the Chiefs of Police would not allow him to establish a police unit because the Philippine National Police already has its own structural organization.
Regarding reward money
Duterte emphasized that the practice of giving reward money does not occur, as he claimed that the police are simply doing their jobs.
"Bakit ako magbayad sa kanila, trabaho naman nila 'yan? Kung may pera, ibulsa ko na lang," Duterte said.
"If there is a fund for that, why would I give it to them?" he added.
Garma, who implicated former President Duterte and Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa in the previous administration's campaign against illegal drugs, was subpoenaed by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee after failing to attend today’s hearing due to health reasons.
Leonardo and presumed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa were also among those subpoenaed by the Senate committee.
