The Quad Comm is scheduled to set its agenda and ground rules during its organizational meeting tomorrow afternoon (Monday).
Quad Comm is the four-committee panel the House of Representatives has authorized to conduct a comprehensive joint investigation into possible connections between illegal Philippine offshore gambling operators (POGO), illegal drugs, extrajudicial killings (EJKs), and human rights violations during former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
The first meeting is expected to start with welcome remarks from the lead chairman, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who chairs the committee on dangerous drugs, following the roll call of members.
This will be followed by opening statements from Barbers, chairman of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs; Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr.; Chairman Dan Fernandez of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety; Chairman Bienvenido Abante Jr. of the House Committee on Human Rights; and Chairman Joseph Stephen Paduano of the House Committee on Public Accounts.
The Quad Comm will also discuss its agenda, schedule of hearings, and agree on its ground rules.
Eight privilege speeches and resolutions have been referred to the super committee. These are as follows:
Privilege Speech of Gonzales: Delivered on August 5, calling for a joint investigation into extrajudicial killings, illegal drugs, and illegal activities.
House Resolution No. 1346: To conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the P3.6 billion worth of shabu seized in Mexico, Pampanga, and P1.3 billion shabu discovered in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, authored by Gonzales and Barbers.
House Resolution No. 1351: Calling for a thorough investigation in aid of legislation on the P3.8 billion worth of shabu intercepted at the port of Subic Bay Freeport Zone, authored by Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun.
House Resolution No. 14: Urging the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the House Committee on Human Rights to conduct, in aid of legislation, a thorough investigation and review of the cases of slain victims of the war on drugs and all related atrocities, authored by Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Danniel Manuel.
House Resolution No. 1847: Urging the committees on human rights, dangerous drugs, and public order and safety to jointly conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on drug-related extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration's anti-drug war, authored by Reps. Arlene Brosas, France Castro, and Manuel.
Privilege Speech of Rep. France Castro: Delivered on November 8, 2023, concerning alleged extrajudicial killings committed during the Duterte administration.
Motu Proprio Inquiry on POGO: Conducted by the Committee on Public Order and Safety and the Committee on Games and Amusements.
Motu Proprio Inquiry on Alleged Irregularities: In the procurement process and unlawful contracts entered into by the town of Mexico, Pampanga, conducted by the Committee on Public Accounts.
Barbers said the first Quad Comm hearing would be held in Pampanga, where an illegal POGO hub in Porac town was shut down on August 16. Additionally, P1.3 billion worth of shabu was discovered in Mabalacat City, and a larger P3.6-billion worth of shabu was seized in Mexico town in September 2023.
“And all those people we invited sa POGO hearing, the likes of the mayor of Porac, the mayor of Bamban, yung acting mayor ngayon, the CIDG personnel, the PAGCOR officials, and some PNP generals, including General (Romeo) Caramat, and we will also invite maybe General (Eleazar) Mata ng Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group,” Barbers said.
Asked why the panel chose Pampanga as the venue for its first hearing, Barbers explained, “Kasi ang ano natin, mayroon pa nating witnesses na nandyan dyan malapit sa lugar na ‘yan na pwedeng humarap at pwedeng magbigay ng information. Kaya dadalhin natin ang committee dyan sa lugar na yan,” he said.
“Kasi dun nga sa usapin ng POGO, human trafficking, torture, human rights violation at saka yung alleged drugs, eh maaring mayroon mga mag-share mga information dyan,” he added.
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