By Junex Doronio
MANILA – Leaders of the Quad Committee on Thursday (17 Oct 2024) expressed strong support for Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ call for a Senate Committee of the Whole investigation into the Duterte administration’s drug war.
They also urged Sen. Bato dela Rosa to clarify his recent admission that police officers received cash payments, allegedly funneled through the office of then Special Assistant to the President, now Sen. Bong Go.
Quad Comm lead chair Rep. Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Sur, along with co-chair Rep. Dan Fernandez of Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, insisted that Dela Rosa must fully explain the nature of these payments, which he referred to as “allowances,” including their purpose and recipients.
Barbers emphasized that the Senate probe is essential for uncovering the truth behind the drug war operations.
“Suportado namin itong panawagan ni Sen. Hontiveros na ipursige ang Senate Committee of the Whole investigation sa EJKs ng drug war ng nakaraang administrasyon. We are very pleased that both Houses of Congress are of one mind on this,” Barbers said.
“Kung totoo nga na mayroong ‘allowances’ na binibigay, dapat ipaliwanag ni Sen. Bato kung bakit, kanino ito napunta, at saan ito nanggaling,” he added.
Barbers also pointed out that Dela Rosa’s acknowledgment of these payments requires further scrutiny. He stressed the importance of verifying if proper protocols were followed in the allocation of public funds.
“Kung allowance man ito, kailangan nating malaman kung ano ang layunin ng pagbibigay nito, at kung nasunod ang mga patakaran para sa tamang paggamit ng pondo ng bayan,” Barbers said.
Fernandez echoed Barbers’ sentiments, calling for transparency from Dela Rosa, as the chief architect and enforcer of the drug war, regarding the cash payments.
ia/mnm
