SURIGAO del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairperson of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, yesterday assured Sen. Ronald dela Rosa that the House of Representatives is not out to persecute him and former president Rodrigo Duterte after the plenary tasked four panels to jointly investigate the top issues hounding the previous administration.
Barbers said both Duterte and Dela Rosa were invited to attend the hearings to serve as resource persons for laws that will be crafted by congressmen and not to be persecuted.
“Wala kaming inuusig (We’re no persecuting anyone),” Barbers told radio dzBB. “Ang amin dito, mabigyan kami ng impormasyon, ng kanilang expertise, ng kanilang nalalaman, ng kanilang pwedeng maitulong sa pagbuo ng bagong batas na bubuin (para) maparusahan ang mga accountable kaya namamayagpag ang mga criminal organization dito (We want to get information, their expertise, knowledge, anything they can do to help us craft laws to punish those who are accountable for the proliferation of criminal syndicates here).”
The House last week voted to adopt a motion to unify ongoing separate investigations on issues linked to the Duterte administration as the issues were found to be intertwined, particularly since Chinese personalities being investigated are allegedly connected to both the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and the illegal drugs business.
Apart from Barbers’ committee, the three other panels are the Committees on Public Order and Safety of Sta. Rosa Rep. Dan Fernandez, Public Accounts of Rep. Stephen Paduano (PL, Abang Lingkod), and Human Rights of Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr.
Abante alleged last week that POGO money had been used by the Duterte administration to reward cops who killed drug suspects.
The “quad comm” is scheduled to set its agenda and ground rules during its organizational meeting scheduled this afternoon.
“We will extend courtesy sa dating pangulo. Karapatan niyang tumanggi, gayundin kay dating PNP chief (Sen. Dela Rosa). May karapatan silang tumanggi. Walang pilitan itong aming imbitasyon (We will extend courtesy to the former president, and to the former PNP chief. They have the right to decline. We’re not forcing them in our invitation),” Barbers said, even as he reminded the senator that he has also previously invited Rep. Raoul Manuel (PL, Kabataan), a member of the militant Makabayan bloc, to attend the Senate’s inquiry into the alleged recruitment of students to join the CPP-NPA.
The former president and Dela Rosa have already declined the invitation of the Abante panel, which has been looking into the thousands of deaths related to Duterte’s drug war which is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Barbers has said that the ICC may eventually use the findings of the quad committee in its ongoing probe.
The senator has said he declined the invitation “on the grounds that I don’t want to become the precedent in breaking the interparliamentary courtesy tradition of both houses of Congress.”
Dela Rosa has said the House inquiry will “most likely” be used against him, the Duterte family and their allies in the ongoing ICC investigation on their supposed crimes against humanity related to the bloody war on drugs.
Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon lashed out at Dela Rosa, calling his allegations “baseless and a distraction from the real issues at hand.”
“Sen. Dela Rosa’s accusations are not only unnecessary but also unparliamentary and unbecoming of a public servant. The House leadership has always acted with the utmost integrity, and it is highly irresponsible for anyone to suggest that they are behind a witch hunt against Senator Dela Rosa or former President Duterte,” he said.
Suarez clarified that the quad commit “was not initiated by the House leadership but was formed through the strong consensus of members who overwhelmingly supported the resolution in plenary.”
He added the quad committee was established to pursue the truth behind serious allegations of illegal activities, “not to settle political scores.”
“This investigation is about uncovering the truth behind the syndicates involved in illegal drugs and POGOs. It is not, and never has been, about politics,” said the lawmaker.
Rep. Jude Acidre (PL, Tingog) also criticized Dela Rosa for allegedly resorting to personal attacks rather than addressing the serious concerns raised by the ongoing investigation.
“Sen. Dela Rosa’s remarks are deeply disappointing. Instead of cooperating with the investigation to shed light on the issues, he has chosen to launch personal attacks against the House leadership, which has done nothing but ensure that the House exercises its oversight functions effectively,” Acidre said. “The mandate of the quad committee is clear–to seek the truth and ensure justice. We will not be deterred by baseless accusations.”
For her part, Rep. France Castro (PL, ACT), also a member of the militant Makabayan bloc, reminded colleagues not to abuse their contempt powers after now that the House has inaugurated its new detention facility.
It was earlier reported that House committees in the 19th Congress have issued a total of 37 contempt citations to individuals, including Daisy Quiros, a real estate broker ordered detained by the committee on public accounts and Ronilyn Baterna, the corporate secretary of POGO Lucky South 99 ordered detained by the committee on public order and safety.
“While we recognize the need for such a facility, we must ensure that it is used solely for its intended purpose – to aid in legislation and uncover the truth. It should never be used as a tool for intimidation or political persecution and violation of citizens’ rights under the Constitution and laws,” Castro said.
Castro called on her colleagues in Congress to exercise utmost discretion and fairness in using the detention facility. “Let us use this tool wisely and judiciously, always in pursuit of truth and in service of the Filipino people,” she said.
