AT the opening of the Third Regular Session of the 19th Congress on Monday, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez reaffirmed his commitment to address the persistent challenges facing the common Filipino.
“Hindi lamang paggawa ng batas at pagpapatibay ng ugnayan sa ibang bansa ang inaasikaso natin. Aktibo rin nating ginagamit ang oversight function ng Kongreso para bigyan ng solusyon ang mga problemang hinaharap ng ordinaryong mamamayan,” he said.
He vowed that the House of Representatives will never cease to conduct congressional investigations, zeroing in on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and illegal drugs.
“In response to the most current and pressing issues, we reiterated our relentless fight against criminal activities, particularly in the operation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations which undermines the integrity of our legal and regulatory framework,” Speaker Romualdez said.
He added that thorough investigations into illegal drugs are in progress to identify and prosecute the offenders to the fullest extent of the law.
The House Committee on Public Order and Safety chaired by Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, as well as the Committee on Games and Amusements headed by Cavite Rep. Antonio Ferrer, already began last week its oversight inquiries on the alleged criminal activities associated with POGOs.
Criminal offenses include extortion, cybercrimes, human trafficking, homicide, kidnapping, among others.
The House Committee on Dangerous Drugs chaired by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, on the other hand has already conducted eight hearings on the matter of illegal drugs seized in Pampanga and Subic last year.
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