QUADCOM LEAD CHAIR BARBERS: 5 BILLS FILED TO ADDRESS ABUSES, LEGAL GAPS

By Junexx Doronio

MANILA – In response to criticisms and accolades, the House Quad Committee has filed five bills designed to address flaws and gaps in the country’s legal framework.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, Quadcom lead chair and chairman of the House Dangerous Drugs panel, announced on Wednesday (December 25, 2024) that the mega panel has also recommended at least 30 proposed amendments to strengthen existing laws and prevent abuses and misdeeds from recurring.

“Napakadali lang para sa mga kritiko, lalo na iyong mga bayaran, na sirain o gibain ang ngalan at nagawa ng Quadcom, ng mga co-chairs at members nito. Sadyang di nila pinapansin o binibigyan ng importansya ang mga mahahalagang findings ng Quadcom tulad ng pagkakilala sa mga Pinoy at Chinese individuals na pasok sa drug smuggling sa bansa, mga Pinoy at banyaga na nagbibigay ng proteksyon sa mga POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) at sa mga iba’t ibang illegal na gawain nito, at sa mga otoridad na nagbigay ng proteksyon at pera sa mga alagad ng batas para magsagawa ng EJKs (extra-judicial killings) na ikinamatay ng may 30,000 na biktima na hindi binigyan ng due process o hustisya,” Barbers said.

Barbers enumerated the five bills filed by Quadcom:

1. House Bill No. 10986 – Classifying and penalizing extra-judicial killings as a heinous crime, while providing reparations for victims.

2. House Bill No. 10987 – Prohibiting all forms of offshore gaming operations in the country, with severe penalties for violations.

3. House Bill No. 11043 – Allowing civil forfeiture of unlawfully acquired real estate properties by foreign nationals.

4. House Bill No. 11117 – Providing for the administrative cancellation of fraudulently obtained birth certificates by foreign nationals.

5. House Bill No. 10998 – Penalizing conspiracy and proposals to commit espionage.

Barbers explained how crime syndicates have exploited loopholes in Philippine laws to carry out illegal activities. “Sa isang simpleng pag-analisa, pinag-aralang maigi ng mga local at foreign crime syndicates ang mga kahinaan at butas ng ating mga batas at ginamit nila ito upang maisakatuparan ang kanilang mga illegal na gawain sa ating bansa,” he said.

He emphasized that the legislative inquiries and extensive research conducted by Quadcom were no easy task for its co-chairs and members.

Barbers highlighted the Quadcom’s probe into extra-judicial killings, which exposed disturbing narratives of abuse of power and institutional impunity during the Duterte administration.

The Quadcom – composed of the House Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Public Accounts, and Human Rights – was formed following an investigation into a P3.9-billion illegal drugs bust in San Jose Malino, Mexico, Pampanga, in September 2023.

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