By Junex Doronio

MANILA — The lead chair of the House Quad Committee on Wednesday (27 November 2024) denounced what he described as a well-funded and orchestrated troll campaign allegedly bankrolled by illegal drug syndicates and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to undermine its ongoing investigation.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the campaign was intended to discredit the credibility of the mega-panel and intimidate witnesses who have exposed significant connections between illegal drugs, corruption and POGOs.

“Patuloy ang paninira ng mga trolls na bayad ng POGO at drug money, sa mga miyembro at mga taong tumetestigo rito,” Surigao del Norte Second District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said in his opening statement during the committee’s 12th hearing.

“Katakataka na napakalaki ng puhunan na umiikot sa mga trolls na halatang inaalagaan ng mga nasasaktan sa mga bagay na nauungkat sa mga pagdinig natin dito, kabilang na marahil ang mga malalaking pangalan na nagpoprotekta sa mga iligal na droga at POGO,” he added.

Barbers, who also chairs the Committee on Dangerous Drugs, lamented attempts to tarnish the reputation of the Quad Comm, which he said was committed to uncovering the truth.

“Pilit pong sinisira ang imahe ng ating Quad Comm na walang ibang layunin kundi ipalabas lamang ang katotohanan,” he said. “Kung kaya hinihikayat namin ang ating mga kababayan na humarap, magsalita at magbigay ng kanilang impormasyon na may kinalaman sa usaping tinatalakay namin dito.”

The Quad Comm has uncovered evidence linking the illegal drug trade to POGO operations, revealing how drug money is funneled through these gaming businesses.

Barbers cited testimonies from earlier hearings that implicated high-ranking officials in the smuggling of large volumes of illegal drugs through Philippine ports.

He added that the proceeds of the drug trade were being used to corrupt government officials, acquire land and provide protection and fake identities to foreign nationals involved in these operations.

“The money flow from this drug trade is being used to acquire landholdings, influence and corrupt government officials and employees who conspire with drug traders in offering protection and fake identities, that undermine the security of our country,” Barbers pointed out.

“We were shown how the money was being laundered into the POGOs and used to fatten the wallets and pockets of the protectors in government,” he added.

The committee has also filed several legislative measures to address systemic vulnerabilities exposed during its investigation.

These include a proposal to cancel fraudulent birth registrations by foreigners, the forfeiture of lands illegally acquired by non-Filipinos, and a nationwide ban on POGOs.

These measures are essential to dismantling the networks of corruption and crime revealed in the hearings.

Despite these efforts, Barbers noted that the committee continues to face resistance from those implicated, as he accused trolls of being a tool for these powerful individuals to undermine the committee’s work.

“Napakarami na pong nakita at nadiskubre dito sa Quad Comm hearings. Sa kabila nito, pilit itong binabatikos at minamaliit ng mga natatamaan,” he said.

Barbers assured the public that the Quad Comm remains resolute in its mission despite efforts to discredit it.

“Subalit nais naming kayong garantyahan na habang kami ay pinipilit na sirain, kami po ay hindi titigil sa pag-ungkat ng mga bagay upang makita at maisiwalat ang buong katotohanan,” he said.

The Quad Comm, formed through a resolution authored by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., has been instrumental in exposing the interconnected schemes of illegal drugs, POGOs and corruption.

The hearings have shed light on the scale of these operations, with Barbers promising to pursue justice and the truth relentlessly.

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By Junex Doronio

MANILA – Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers once again blasted the Chinese government on Sunday (17 November 2024) for its “expansionist” tactics and blatant interference in Philippine domestic affairs, particularly its efforts to question the country’s laws that reinforce its rights over maritime zones.

Barbers, who is the lead chair of the Lower House’s Quad Committee and also heads the House Dangerous Drugs panel, pointed out that while China demands respect for its claims in the West Philippine Sea—a claim that lacks both historical and legal grounds—it continuously disrespects the Philippines’ sovereignty and its position on the matter.

The Quad Committee chair issued his statement after China summoned the Philippine ambassador to explain two recently enacted maritime laws—Republic Act 12064, and Republic Act 12065—both aimed at bolstering the country’s rights over its maritime zones.

Barbers emphasized that, after a series of bullying incidents involving the use of water cannons, ship rammings, and even injuries to Philippine Coast Guard personnel in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), China was now attempting to obstruct, intimidate, and prevent the Philippines from enforcing its maritime laws and policies.

“While China demands that the international community respect their self-drawn nine-dash and eleven-dash lines, they show no respect for us. They continue to intrude into our 200-mile exclusive economic zone and ignore the ruling of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on this issue,” Barbers said.

He further pointed out that the Hague-based arbitral ruling, made under UNCLOS, had declared that China’s claim to historic rights over resources in the West Philippine Sea had “no basis in law and is without legal effect.”

Barbers underscored that the 135-member-state UNCLOS had upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction within its exclusive 200-mile economic zone.

“China wants the Philippines to respect their unfounded claims in the West Philippine Sea, but they manifestly disrespect our position on this issue and the UNCLOS ruling in our favor,” Barbers added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reaffirmed the Philippines’ firm stance on its sovereignty over the WPS, despite China’s objections to the recently passed maritime and archipelagic sea lane laws.

In response to the enactment of these laws, Beijing demanded that Manila respect China’s territorial sovereignty, maritime rights, and interests, calling for an immediate halt to unilateral actions and for maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.

“Gusto ng China ng respeto sa claim nila sa WPS, pero di nila tayo nirerespeto sa ating claim at posisyon sa isyung ito, kasama na ang disrespect nila sa desisyon ng UNCLOS sa ating mga karapatan sa loob ng ating 200-mile economic zone,” Barbers said.

“Sinabi na ng UNCLOS na ang China ay walang historical rights at walang legal basis ang claim nila sa WPS. So, ibig sabihin, gawa-gawa lang o produkto lang ng kanilang imahinasyon ang kanilang claim,” he added.

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By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Recognizing the global impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has renewed his call for the establishment of a multi-agency body, the Artificial Intelligence Development Authority (AIDA), tasked with developing and implementing a national AI strategy.

“Almost every country in the world is now crafting policies or laws in response to advancements in AI. We Filipinos need to embrace AI because we cannot avoid it. We shouldn’t lag behind on this matter as it will greatly impact our society, particularly in education, business, and the economy,” said Barbers, overall chairman of the House Quad Committee.

The House Quad Committee is currently investigating, in aid of legislation, the complex connections between Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), illegal drug trade, and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the previous Duterte administration.

Barbers explained that the Philippines needs a multi-agency regulatory body to engage with the AI revolution, boost Filipino skills, increase business productivity, and enhance the economy’s competitiveness.

As chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, Barbers highlighted that agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the University of the Philippines (UP), and the Department of Education (DepEd) are already working on individual AI policies, yet there is no national agency to regulate AI in a cohesive manner.

In March of last year, Barbers filed House Bill (HB) No. 7396, also known as the “Artificial Intelligence Development Act,” which aims to promote the development and regulation of AI in the Philippines.

HB 7396 defines AI as a broad term encompassing technologies like machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, and natural language processing.

While Filipinos recognize AI’s importance in national development, Barbers pointed out that the rapid pace of technological advancements also presents risks that must be managed to maximize benefits and minimize potential downsides.

“With new technologies like AI, there will inevitably be those who use them for harm. We need to be prepared for that,” he added.

The bill includes provisions to protect individuals’ privacy and personal data, prevent discrimination and bias in AI technologies, ensure AI systems are safe and secure, mandate transparency in AI usage, and provide meaningful explanations for AI-driven decisions.

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