The quad committee of the House of Representatives will release an "initial report" related to their investigation into illegal drugs, Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs), and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the Duterte administration before Congress goes on vacation on December 20. according to an official yesterday.
The report includes recommendations for four bills to be brought to the plenary.
"The reason why we will submit the (initial report) to the plenary is because it is a progress report, and there are things that need to be acted upon immediately, such as our proposed laws that have already been submitted. This is the output of the quad comm," said Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, leader and presiding chairman of the quad comm.
Barbers added that the House plenary, which is composed of more than 300 members, can suggest to President Marcos that the bills be included in his priority legislative agenda or certified as urgent to speed up the approval process.
Among the proposed laws are the proposal to make EJK a heinous crime and impose the heaviest penalties on violators, and a proposal to establish an inter-agency government committee led by the Philippine Statistics Authority to expedite the administrative cancellation of questionable birth certificates.
Barbers also said that the progress report will include the recommendation to file charges against individuals involved in illegal drugs, illegal POGOs, and EJKs, as well as urging the relevant agencies to actively pursue these cases.
In their investigation, the mega panel – composed of Representatives Dan Fernandez (Santa Rosa, Laguna), Bienvenido Abante (Manila's sixth district), and Joseph Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod party-list) – discovered that several Chinese nationals have obtained Filipino citizenship using a fake or invalid birth certificate.
Barbers is the chairperson of the House committee on dangerous drugs; Fernandez in the committee on public order and safety; Abante in the human rights committee; and Paduano in the committee on public accounts.
Barbers is the chairperson of the House committee on dangerous drugs; Fernandez in the committee on public order and safety; Abante in the human rights committee; and Paduano in the committee on public accounts.
Suspension Warning Meanwhile, Sen. warned. Sherwin Gatchalian to local government officials that they may be suspended, as happened to Mayor Jaime Capil of Porac, Pampanga, for allegedly failing to address POGO in their area.
Gatchalian emphasized the importance of the responsibility of local government officials in curbing illegal POGO.
"According to precedent, local government chief executives can be suspended when POGOs enter their area," said Gatchalian.
While the national government is intensifying its campaign against POGO, the senator emphasized the important role of local government in the implementation of policies and accountability at the grassroots level.
He also mentioned the case of Alice Guo, former mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, who is facing allegations of active involvement in the operation of illegal POGOs.
