Former Mandaluyong City Police Chief PCol. Hector Grijaldo is absent for the third time at the House Quad Committee hearing.
On Wednesday, the House mega panel highlighted Grijaldo’s repeated absences, pointing out another letter and medical request from the latter’s doctors and lawyers. The letter requested that Grijaldo be excused from the hearing due to his admission to the hospital.
The House panel was dismayed with the Police Colonel’s actions, stating that an excuse letter with the same reasoning was repeatedly sent before the hearing today. Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano then motioned to direct the House medical officer to personally check Grijaldo’s vitals.
“With these three letters sent to us, it's all about the attached medical request and certificate. May I respectfully move that we direct our medical officer in the House to check personally the status of PCol. Grijaldo with regards to his medical condition,” he said.
Continued Absences at the House Hearing
Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez also emphasized how Grijaldo’s continued absence from the Committee hearing on the pretext of medical excuses, is unacceptable. Additionally, Grijaldo is running away from his responsibility, adding that he tainted the image of the whole Committee. “Medyo hindi ko matatanggap yung excuses na medical services. As a matter of fact Mr. Chairman, kung titingnan mo itong excuse na written by his lawyer, kaya hindi siya nakapunta dito (is) because he was still in the hospital,” he said.
Grijaldo has been confined to the hospital since November 13. His letter said that he requested to get clearance before his surgical operation because he was being treated for rotator cuff syndrome.
“Surely, he wanted to evade this hearing. Ayaw niyang panindigan yung mga sinabi niya doon sa affidavit niya sa Senado,” Fernandez stressed.
“In the previous hearing, we manifested that we will be relinquishing our Chairmanship on the issue of PCol. Grijaldo. Pero hanggang ngayon, inaantay natin siya dito,” he added.
Grijaldo’s Affidavit
Consequently, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante exclaimed that Grijaldo should appear before the Committee and tell them about the accusations.
“He must appear here, and tell us about these accusations. We are willing to inhibit ourselves while he is here being asked by the Quad Comm. My name was one of those mentioned with Cong. Fernandez that we pressured him to tell a lie,” Abante said.
The lawmaker mentioned how the Police Colonel’s lie is “brazen” and asked that the panel do something about his repeated absences.
“If PCol. Grijaldo is incapacitated to appear before a Committee hearing, then would he be in a physical capacity to serve as a Colonel in the PNP,” Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores highlighted.
“If that would prohibit him from serving in the PNP in that manner, then maybe the PNP should also determine his physical fitness to continue serving as an officer of the PNP,” he added.
Quad Comm Chairman and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers granted Paduano’s motion and ordered the Committee Secretary to coordinate with the House physician. The Philippine National Police (PNP) was also directed to ask its doctor to check on Grijaldo.
