FRUIT OF PROBE LABOR
AT least five relevant measures were filed in the House of Representatives which were crafted after the House Quad Committee had 13 hearings on the issues of extra judicial killings, war on drugs and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
During its year-end meeting, the House leaders have presented its accomplishments over its past hearings.
Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales listed the House Bills (HBs) that were crafted as a result of the hearings: (1) HB 10986, “Classifying EJK (Extra Judicial Killing) as a Heinous Crime”; (2) HB 10987, “Anti-Offshore Gaming Operations Act”; (3) HB 10998, “Espionage Law of 2024”; (4) HB 11043, “Civil Forfeiture Act”; and (5) HB 11117, “Fraudulent Birth Certificate Cancellation Law.”
He said the Quad Comm with submit a progress report to the plenary before next week’s Christmas break.
“This report will summarize our findings, provide actionable recommendations, and outline the next steps to tackle these critical issues. It will also include accountability measures for officials involved in related anomalies,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales recalled calling for the creation of the Quad Comm when he delivered a privilege speech on August 5, 2024 following the apparent links in the investigations into the P3.6 billion worth of shabu seized in Mexico, Pampanga, P1.3 billion worth of shabu discovered in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, and the illegal activities linked to POGOs.
He vowed that the Quad Comm we will continue its work in January with even greater focus and determination, “Today, we only end the inquiry for the year; but we are already preparing for next year.”
Quad Comm vice chair and Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop seconded Gonzales’ commitment, “Ipagpapatuloy po natin ang ating inquiry at sisiguraduhin naming aayusin ang ating mga batas upang masiguro hindi na maulit ang mga kaganapang ating natuklasan. Sa darating na taon at darating na Quad Comm hearings, tatalakayin po natin ng mas malalim ang usapin ukol sa droga dahil sang-ayon naman po tayo salot po ito sa lipunan. We will leave no stone unturned.”
He presented a report entitled “A Tale of Two Shipments,” featuring the arrival in the country in 2017 of metal cylinders P6.4-billion worth of illegal drugs and the shipment in the country in 2018 of magnetic lifters containing P3.4 billion worth of illegal drugs. It showed that the two shipments both arrived at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and allegedly involved some personalities.
“For the past 12 hearings, we have heard various testimonies of victims, their families, the police, the involved personalities who admitted their roles and participation, the cause-oriented groups, and those whose lives have changed forever due to an irreversible misstep they took that cost them their freedom,” said Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, senior chair of the Quad Comm.
The Quad Comm during its meeting cited in contempt former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Wilkins Villanueva, which will be implemented when session resumes on January 13, 2025. Abang Lingkod Partylist Rep. Joseph “Caraps” Paduano reminded former Villanueva of his right to file a motion to lift the contempt order on him.
Also cited in contempt was Police Col. Hector Grijaldo who had did not attend the hearing despite the Quad Comm’s repeated invitation.
