A LEADER of the “Young Guns” bloc in the House of Representatives on Thursday expressed support for reviving the House Quad Comm, saying its reconstitution in the 20th Congress is necessary to finish pending investigations and confront emerging threats to public safety and human rights.
“Kailangan talaga ‘yung Quad Comm 2.0 kasi ang daming issues na naglalabasan. Alam naman natin ‘yung efficiency ng joint committees na ‘yan,” La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V, one of the leaders of House Young Guns, said in response to a reporter’s query during a press conference.
The Quad Comm—composed of the Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts—held 15 hearings in the 19th Congress on the alleged links between Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), illegal drugs, supposed land grabbing by some Chinese nationals, and the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) associated with the Duterte administration’s controversial war on drugs.
It conducted a total of 15 public hearings, which featured high-profile witnesses—including former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte himself—and captivated the nation with revelations that echoed like courtroom drama and shook the political establishment.
The hearings drew massive public attention, went viral on social media, and were often compared to a primetime political thriller.
“Marami pa tayong unfinished business. Marami tayong kailangang balikan. At siyempre ang mga Quad bills at measures na kailangan ding i-refile ulit,” Ortega said.
The panel’s work led to the filing of several key measures, including bills declaring EJK a heinous crime, banning POGOs in the Philippines, amending the Anti-Money Laundering Act, and institutionalizing inter-agency cooperation in human rights investigations.
More recently, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said some of the 34 missing sabungeros may have fallen victim to EJKs tied to the Duterte-era drug war, underscoring the need to reactivate the Quad Comm.
“‘Pag maraming concerns, maraming problema, the best way to solve this is through legislation, through the convening of the different committees concerned,” Ortega said.
He also credited the Quad Comm for giving rise to the Young Guns and boosting public trust in the House through transparency.
“Part of the success of the House is the evolution of the Quad. Nakita natin maraming umusbong, umusbong dito ang mga Young Guns, nakita natin ang mga leaders ng House. Parang innovation siya ng House,” he said.
Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., the only returning co-chair of the original Quad Comm, earlier confirmed plans to reconstitute the panel.
“Sinimulan namin ng 19th Congress. Marami na kami napag-usapan, marami nang tinalakay. At naniniwala akong hindi pa tapos,” Abante said.
Ortega said he expects Quad Comm 2.0 to be one of the defining initiatives of the 20th Congress.
“Talagang it will be the first leg ng 20th Congress. Madami siguro ang mangyayari,” he said.
“Abangan natin ang 20th Congress. Pero I’m sure kasama tayo doon kung anuman ‘yun,” Ortega added.
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