MANILA (UPDATED) – The House of Representatives Committee on Justice cited Ronnie Dayan, Senator Leila de Lima's former driver and alleged bagman, for contempt for failing to appear in Thursday's hearing, paving the way for the issuance of a warrant for his arrest.

Committee Vice Chairman Henry Oaminal said that on September 28, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Justice Committee Chairman Rey Umali summoned Dayan to Congress to answer questions related to the alleged proliferation of illegal drugs at the state penitentiary during the time of Senator Leila de Lima as Justice secretary.

However, the motion to cite Dayan in contempt was later withdrawn, upon an appeal from House Majority Floor Leader Rudy Fariñas.

Lawmakers said they are giving Dayan 24 hours to explain why he shouldn't be cited for contempt.

Oaminal, the Philippine National Police sent them a note that the initial summons was received by one Ernesto Florita on October 1, more than three days before the hearing as required by House rules.

The motion to cite Dayan in contempt was made by Deputy Speaker Gwen Garcia, seconded by Quezon City Representative Bingbong Crisologo, with a quorum of 10 committee members present.

According to witnesses who previously testified at sessions of the Committee on Justice, Dayan was De Lima's driver, and was also allegedly her lover, and also bagman for protection money from drug lords in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

Earlier, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre told reporters that the Department of Justice had no word regarding Dayan’s whereabouts.
Aguirre appealed to the driver to go out of hiding, as they are prepared to place him under the Witness Protection Program if he is qualified.