Manila Rep. Abante Pushes to Reconvene Quad Committee
Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr. has officially launched his campaign to reconvene the House of Representatives’ quad committee. The goal is to address unresolved issues from the 19th Congress and tackle emerging concerns. Abante filed House Resolution No. 106, aiming to restore the quad committee and continue investigations into critical matters.
“There is still work that must be done—truths that remain hidden, perpetrators who remain unpunished, and families who still wait for answers,” Abante, who chaired the House Committee on Human Rights in both the 19th and 20th Congress, declared during a plenary session.
He further urged lawmakers: “Let us reconvene the Quad Comm in the 20th Congress. Let us continue the investigation into the extrajudicial killings that scarred our nation. Let us show the Filipino people that justice does not expire with time, and that this Congress has the courage to finish what it has started.”
Expanded Scope: From Drug War to Missing Sabungeros
Beyond probing illegal activities tied to Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos), the illicit drug trade, and human rights violations during the previous administration’s drug war, Abante plans to widen the committee’s focus. The new quad committee could also investigate the mysterious disappearances of ‘sabungeros’ or cockfighters.
Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan has alleged that two police officers linked to the missing sabungeros case also had ties to the drug war and extrajudicial killings. “There are allegations that some members of our police force are involved in these incidents, and some people in high places of the society. This is not new to us—this is like the EJK cases that we investigated during the 19th Congress, where some abused their power,” Abante said.
He questioned, “Why are they killed? Is there a connection between these cases to the first EJK issues that we investigated? Or do we now have a culture of killing with impunity?”
Historical Context and Committee Leadership
Earlier, during the 19th Congress, former Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales filed a resolution calling for a joint investigation by four panels into various issues handled by the committees on dangerous drugs, human rights, public order and safety, and public accounts.
Before the quad committee’s formation, the committee on dangerous drugs, led by ex-Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, was probing illegal drugs found in a warehouse in Mexico, Pampanga. The warehouse was reportedly owned by a firm linked to Chinese nationals with connections to other companies such as Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation. Meanwhile, the committee on public order and safety, chaired by former Rep. Dan Fernandez, examined illegal activities related to Pogos.
The committee on public accounts, under former Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, uncovered links between land parcels used for Pogos and the illicit drug warehouse. Abante’s committee investigated alleged human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings tied to the drug war, including claims that Pogo earnings were used to reward police officers involved in anti-drug operations.
Unveiling a Grand Criminal Enterprise
During hearings, Antipolo 2nd District Representative Romeo Acop described findings that pointed to a “grand criminal enterprise,” suggesting former President Rodrigo Duterte may be at the center. The investigations also revealed extensive Pogo operations and possible collusion between government officials and operators.
Abante emphasized the need to clarify the fate of Pogo workers and operators following the total ban imposed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “What has happened to the thousands of foreign nationals that were employed by the closed Pogo hubs and sites? Were they deported? Detained? Or are they free to roam our country?” he asked.
He also questioned the ownership of land parcels purchased by foreign nationals using fake IDs or documents to appear as Filipino citizens. “Has there been an inventory of its ownership?” Abante added.
Current Committee Leadership and Support
The House recently completed the quad committee leadership roster. Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon was elected Minority chairperson of the committee on public accounts. For the 20th Congress, Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores will lead the committee on dangerous drugs; Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano will head the committee on public order and safety; and Abante will continue as chair of the human rights committee.
Several lawmakers have voiced support for reviving the quad committee, citing ongoing and new issues unresolved due to limited time. Deputy Speaker and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V said, “We really need Quad Comm 2.0 because many issues are emerging. We all know the efficiency of those joint committees.”
For more news and updates on the quad committee revival, visit Filipinokami.com.
