📷Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers
The House Quad Committee plans to present an initial report on its inquiries into illegal drugs, their ties to Philippine offshore gambling operators (POGOs), and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the Duterte administration.
In a Super Radyo dzBB interview on Sunday, December 8, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the partial report would be released before the House adjourns for Christmas break on December 18.
“Consolidated itong report na ‘to. Ang nilalaman nitong report ay ‘yung mga natalakay namin sa EJK, dangerous drugs, at dito POGO… Halos kasi magkakamukha ito at magkakamag-anak itong usaping ito,” Barbers said.
“The reason why we will submit this progress report in the plenary is so that action can be taken,” Barbers added.
The lawmaker said members of the Quad Committee have proposed at least four corrective measures.
The proposed remedial legislation includes a bill classifying EJKs as a heinous crime with the maximum penalty for offenders and another establishing an inter-agency committee, led by the Philippine Statistics Authority, to streamline the administrative cancellation of suspicious birth certificates.
Barbers stated that the Quad Committee’s initial report would recommend filing charges against individuals involved in illegal drugs, illicit POGOs, and EJKs, urging government agencies to take decisive action on these cases.
He added that another QuadComm hearing is set for this Thursday, with hearings continuing next year when the session resumes in January. (TCSP)
