Ronnie Dayan's facing the media Tuesday evening hours after his arrest, the former driver-bodyguard and alleged bagman of Bilibid Queen Leila de Lima, said he did receive money — five times in 2014 — from suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, and had given this to then Justice secretary De Lima.
Dayan said he had a seven-year relationship with the senator during an earlier press conference at Camp Crame, said he picked up the money upon the orders of "Ma'am" De Lima. However, he said he could not tell how much cash had been involved as he had just placed the packages inside his vehicle.
He also added that he had never taken or had sold illegal drugs — and had never taken money from drug lords behind bars, referring to the national penitentiary.
Ronnie Dayan also said he has had no contact at all with De Lima during his time in hiding. He did try to get in touch with the senator, he narrated, but there was no response.
He said the reason was that he needed to seek financial help from De Lima that time.
Asked for a message to the senator, Dayan said he hoped that De Lima would remain steadfast to face the allegations against her. "Magpakatatag ka."
Meanwhile, House Justice committee chair Rep. Rey Umali thanked the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the arrest of Dayan.
On whether Dayan would be granted immunity, Umali said it would depend on the testimony he would give as he faces a congressional probe on Thursday.
"For me, he has to tell the truth and this would help us with our investigation. The committee will vote on this, then subject to the approval of the Speaker," he said in a mix of Filipino and English.