Antipolo City 2nd Rep. Romeo Acop (left), Royina Garma (Facebook)

Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop believes that he can make former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma admit her alleged romantic relationship with ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, if he wants to. 

Acop had the opportunity to do so during the marathon hearing of the House quad-committee (quad-comm), which ended at 12:46 a.m. Saturday. 

However, the veteran congressman chose not to put Garma on the spot and was content to leave the this supposed relationship "to the imagination" of one of his quad-comm colleagues. 

Acop, the quad-comm vice chairman, was among the last to interpellate Garma during the particular hearing--the eighth so far by the mega-panel. 

"Insofar as the question of the honorable [Santa Rosa City lone district Rep. Dan] Fernandez is concerned, whether you have romantic ties with the president, I leave that to the imagination of the honorable Fernandez," Acop told Garma, who reacted with a sheepish smile. 

"Hindi na ako magtatanong doon. Kasi kung magtatanong ako, baka umamin ka eh. Kaya ayoko na lang," he said tongue-in-cheek. 

(I won't ask about it anymore. Because if I do ask about it, you might admit it. That's why I don't want to anymore.) 

"Oo, sa totoo lang, baka umamin ka (Yes, the truth is you might admit it). But anyway...," added Acop, who sounded more serious this time. 

Fernandez, a co-chairman of the quad-comm, had asked Garma earlier in the hearing about her prior denial that she and Duterte had a special relationship. 

Acop reproached the retired police colonel for denying in past hearings the strong influence she had ("malakas") over Duterte. 

"Hindi mo inaamin dito sa amin sa previous hearing na [malakas ka] kay presidente Duterte...Madam Garma, all the signs are there na malakas ka kay former president Digong," he said. 

(You didn't admit to us here in previous hearings that you had strong influence over president Duterte...Madam Garma, all the signs are there that you hold such influence over former president Digong.) 

"I would have cited you in contempt then because you were lying. Pero (But) now that you are cooperating, aaminin mo ba ngayon (will you admit if now)?" Acop, himself a former police brigadier general, asked Garma. 

"Yes, Mr. Chair," answered the ex-PCSO boss. 

BUT FIRST, READ THIS: 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/27/garma-denies-romantic-relationship-with-duterte


Acop shared that he knew of a gathering in Malacañang during Duterte’s time wherein Garma was made to stand out; he said the event was attended by the different generals and Garma was the sole colonel. 

"The president gave you special attention and yet, you are very brave and blatant to say that na hindi ka malakas kay former president Duterte (that you don't have strong influence over former president Duterte). 

"Buti inaamin mo (It's a good thing you're admitting it)," Acop told Garma.

During the 13-hour hearing, Garma accused Duterte of spearheading a cash reward-driven system during his administration's bloody war on drugs.