Former President Rodrigo Duterte (Senator Bong Go’s Facebook page)

The chairmen of the House quad-committee (quad-comm) has generously offered to shoulder the travel and accommodation expenses of former president Rodrigo Duterte in a bid to guarantee his appearance in the next hearing of the mega-panel.

This was bared by no less than quad-comm overall chairman Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who wondered if the true reason for Duterte's snubbing of the hearings was indeed financial in nature.

“If finances are truly an issue, we’re ready to cover his travel and accommodations ourselves. This is about the people’s right to know the truth about alleged abuses in his administration’s anti-drug operations,” Barbers said in a statement Sunday, Nov. 10.

By "we", the veteran solon was referring to his quad-comm co-chairmen Santa Rosa City lone district Rep. Dan Fernandez, Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr., and Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen "Caraps" Paduano, as well as vice chairman Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop.

Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr., and Deputy Speaker Quezon 2nd district Rep. Danilo "Jay-jay" Suarez--the two prime movers of the quad-comm--also want to "chip in", according to Barbers.

Duterte, who led an aggressive anti-drug campaign during his presidency from 2016 to 2022, faces scrutiny from the quad-comm for reported human rights abuses, including the deaths of thousands, many from the urban poor. 

Duterte skipped the Oct. 22 and Nov. 7 hearings of the quad-comm despite formal invitations. In a recent interview, the former leader claimed financial limitations prevented his attendance. 

His absence has sparked frustration among the House members who wants to quiz Duterte on the intricacies of his bloody drug war.

This frustration was somewhat magnified by Duterte’s attendance to a Oct. 28 hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the same subject matter.

We're serious

The quad-comm leaders underscored that their offer to fund Duterte’s attendance shows their seriousness in uncovering the truth.

“The committee is willing to help in any way possible. We’re all ready to contribute personally if that’s what it takes. This is about accountability, not excuses,” Fernandez said.

Abante added: “We’re offering to remove every obstacle. We’re even willing to ‘chip in’ if it means he can no longer avoid the inquiry. The victims’ families deserve the truth.”

Acop highlighted the committee’s gesture reflects its commitment to thoroughly investigate the allegations. “If covering his expenses is what’s needed to get to the bottom of this, so be it,” he said.

For his part, Gonzales emphasized the importance of transparency. “We’re willing to support Duterte’s travel and accommodations for him and his entourage if that’s what it takes. It’s our duty to ensure those responsible are held accountable."

Suarez described Duterte’s testimony as “crucial” to the ongoing probe. “If covering his expenses will help him fulfill his responsibility to the people, then we’ll chip in without hesitation."