MANILA – The lead chairperson of the House of Representatives Quad Committee (quadcom) disclosed on Tuesday that the panel would recommend criminal and administrative charges against individuals linked to illegal drugs, illicit Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the previous administration’s drug war.
Barbers said the charges could involve both active and recently retired government officials.
“Lahat ng recommendations namin (All of our recommendations), assuming that we will recommend the filing of criminal, administrative cases, this will involve active, at saka retired, at saka (and retired, as well as) recently retired. Lahat yan ay kasama dito sa aming recommendation (All of these will be included in our recommendation),” he told reporters.
The committee estimated that at least 10 individuals may face charges.
The quadcom plans to submit an initial progress report to the plenary before Congress begins its Christmas recess on December 21.
This report will include recommendations for filing cases and legislative proposals addressing the key issues uncovered during its inquiry.
Legislative proposals
Barbers said the committee’s 12 hearings have resulted in 15 remedial legislative proposals.
“We have more or less naman 15 new remedial laws. 15 panukalang batas ang aming itutulak na naging produkto nitong 12 quadcom hearings (We will push for 15 proposals that were products of 12 quadcom hearings),” he said.
Barbers earlier said the committee is presenting its findings to expedite legislative action and encourage President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to include the proposed measures in his legislative agenda, or potentially certify them as urgent.
“The reason kasi why we will submit this in the plenary ‘yong (this) progress report, kasi (because) there are things na dapat maaksiyunan na kaagad (that should be acted on promptly),” he said.
The quadcom members filed key proposals, including defining EJKs as heinous crimes and establishing an inter-agency committee to expedite the cancellation of fraudulent birth certificates.
The latter measure addresses findings that some Chinese nationals used fake birth certificates to gain Filipino citizenship, enabling them to form corporations and acquire properties for illegal activities, including drug trafficking. (PNA)