Former president Rodrigo Duterte (Malacañang photo

Will former president Rodrigo Duterte appear before the House quad-committee (quad-comm) or not?

This is once again the theme of the mega-panel's next scheduled hearing Thursday, Nov. 7, or exactly 10 days after Duterte personally attended the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.

The bloody drug war is the topic of both congressional inquiries.

 However, it was the Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers-led quad-comm that did it first, with Thursday being it's 10th hearing on the matter.

Among other things, the quad-comm co-chairmen are expected to react to Duterte's participation in the launch of the Senate probe last Oct. 28, mere days after his counsel, Martin Delgra III, said the ex-president was "not feeling well" and "needed rest".

It was due to these health concerns that the vaunted quad-comm--deciding to give the 79-year-old Duterte the benefit of the doubt--excuse the former leader from attending the previous Oct. 22 hearing.

Face off with Garma, Leonardo?

The heaviest accusations against Duterte as far as complicity in the drug war is concerned came from key witnesses presented during the quad-comm, namely former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma and former National Police Commission (Napolcom) commissioner Edilberto Leonardo.

Duterte faced neither one during the blue ribbon probe, and left this intriguing prospect open for Thursday's House proceedings.

Garma, a retired police colonel like Leonardo, had accused Duterte of spearheading in May 2016 the nationwide expansion of the alleged "Davao model" wherein the killing of drug suspects was encouraged in exchange for cash. 

She claimed that cash rewards for drug war kills under Duterte ranged from P20,000 for street-level suspects to P1 million for "chemists, traders, manufacturers, financiers, and ninja cops".   

Leonardo, one of the architects of this nationwide campaign, later corroborated Garma's claims. 

Proper forum

For House Assistant Majority Leader Taguig City 2nd district Rep. Pammy Zamora, the quad-comm hearings are the proper forum for Duterte to answer the allegations. 

“As a lawyer, ex-president Duterte has the opportunity to show Filipinos his commitment to lawful processes by participating in the quad--comm inquiry into the war on drugs, which allegedly claimed over 30,000 lives,” said Zamora, a member of the "Young Guns" bloc.

Zamora added that Duterte’s attendance would “reinforce respect for the rule of law by advocating that everyone, regardless of former titles, should be willing to answer for their actions".

Another Young Gun, Manila 1st district Rep. Ernix Dionisio, says Thursday's hearing is Duterte's "opportunity for redemption".

“It’s a chance for Duterte to solidify his legacy by showing he values truth and transparency, potentially gaining respect for addressing challenging questions head-on,” Dionisio said.

“The people expect responsible leadership. This shows that they see truth and integrity as essential traits for leaders, past and present. The former president is not exempt from this expectation,” Dionisio added.