THE Quad Comm hearings at the House of Representatives are getting to be exciting and interesting, with the addition of former mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of Iloilo City to the mix, eclipsing even the media celebrity status of dismissed mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac.

The latest House hearing last Thursday was the sixth, and the agenda listed POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) as the topic. Alice Guo came in early as a resource person, and it would have been entirely her show. But the congressmen had other matters in mind to prioritize.

On the motion of Rep. Joseph Paduano, the POGO topic was sidelined and center stage was given to Mabilog who dramatically talked about his ordeal more than seven years ago during the height of the anti-drug war of President Rodrigo Duterte. The four committees investigating crimes related to POGO were glad to give the microphone to Mabilog, allowing him to air serious charges of harassment and threats against Duterte and his former officials.

‘We expect more and more turn of events in the House and Senate hearings that are motivated by politics and the coming elections, rather than a genuine desire to craft new legislation.’

It would seem that the Quad Comm is consistently “sticking to the plan,” whatever that means, although it remains to be explained to the public by Rep. Stella Quimbo what plan it is that the House members should be sticking to.

Mabilog related how Duterte allegedly inserted his name in the list of local officials who are actively engaged in the illegal drugs trade, and made it a “hit list.” He had to leave the country for fear of his life, as people involved in drugs were being killed or arrested during Duterte’s time.

Was Mabilog really involved in illegal drugs as claimed by Duterte? Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla wants this question answered, as the DOJ plans to look into Mabilog’s alleged involvement in illegal drugs, considering the gravity of the accusation against him.

Speaking of Remulla, his previous statement that Mabilog is determined to reclaim his old post raises a lot of concern, as the former mayor might use the series of hearings to push his political agenda of winning back the trust of Ilonggos, rather than an avenue to clear his name. Mabilog’s decision to leave his constituents and “save his life” has left a deep wound in the collective memory of the citizens of Iloilo City.

As he has a graft case in the Sandiganbayan as he said, Mabilog should focus his energies on defending himself in the graft court to clear his name before even thinking of returning to local politics anew.

We expect more and more turn of events in the House and Senate hearings that are motivated by politics and the coming elections, rather than a genuine desire to craft new legislation.