House quad comm probes Duterte drug war, EJKs

The House of Representatives was kept busy in 2024, dealing both with political drama and innovations in its legislative function.

- By JOSE RODEL CLAPANO

The biggest move that the lower chamber made for the year was the creation of the quad committee, a combination of the House committees on dangerous drugs, public accounts, public order and safety and human rights.

The quad comm's investigation focused on the war on drugs of former president Rodrigo Duterte; the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) of thousands suspected of involvement in illegal drugs; and Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs), used by Chinese nationals for criminal activities including cyberscams, human trafficking, kidnap-for-ransom, torture and money-laundering.

Aside from the quad comm's creation, another big step for the House in 2024 was the investigation initiated by the committee on good government and public accountability chaired by Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua.

Chua's committee focused its investigation into Vice President Sara Duterte's alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) when she was still its secretary.

The quad comm, led by its lead chairman Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep.

Robert Ace Barbers conducted its first joint public hearings on EJKS, POGOS and war on drugs on Aug. 16 at the Villa Bacolor Convention Center in Bacolor, Pampanga.