House welcomes public support for quad committee probe

MANILA, Philippines — The leaders of the quad committee of the House of Representatives yesterday welcomed the results of a nationwide survey, which showed that a majority of Filipinos support their efforts to uncover the truth and hold those involved in illegal activities accountable.

The survey, conducted by Pulse Asia from Nov. 26 to Dec. 3, 2024, revealed that 61 percent of Filipinos favor the quad comm’s investigation into the links between illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), the illicit drug trade, land grabbing by some Chinese nationals and the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) associated with the previous Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

“This is a clear mandate from the people to pursue justice and expose the truth behind these systemic abuses. We will not waver in our mission to hold powerful offenders accountable,” said quad committee lead chairman, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers.

This statement was echoed by his co-chairmen Reps. Dan Fernandez of Laguna, Joseph Stephen Paduano of the Abang Lingkod party-list and Bienvenido Abante of Manila, as well as quad comm senior vice chair Romeo Acop of Antipolo.

The Pulse Asia survey not only reflects the public’s confidence in the work of the quad comm, but also serves as a strong mandate for the joint panel to continue its pursuit of truth and accountability, the House leaders said.

“The message is loud and clear – Filipinos want accountability and reforms. This investigation is a crucial step in dismantling the networks of corruption and abuse tied to EJKs, illegal drugs and POGOs,” they added.

The joint panel – composed of the committees on dangerous drugs, public order and safety, human rights and public accounts – has uncovered alarming links between EJKs, drug syndicates and illegal POGO operations, including allegations of money laundering, tax evasion and human trafficking.

After conducting 13 marathon hearings from August to December 2024, the quad committee concluded that former president Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial war on drugs allegedly served as a cover for a “grand criminal enterprise” involving high-ranking government officials, systemic corruption and international drug trafficking networks.

The findings of the hearings also suggest that Duterte and his inner circle allegedly enabled and profited from the drug trade they had publicly pledged to eradicate. With this information, the quad comm leaders vowed to bring the truth to light.

“These revelations are just the tip of the iceberg. Our work ensures that those who exploit the system are exposed and held accountable,” they said.

According to the Pulse Asia survey, support for the probe was the strongest among respondents in Metro Manila at 73 percent, followed by those in the rest of Luzon at 66 percent, the Visayas at 59 percent and Mindanao at 46 percent.

Across socio-economic classes, support for the probe was highest among those in class ABC and D at 64 percent and 62 percent, respectively, followed by those from class E at 52 percent.