Camarines Sur 3rd district Rep. Gabriel Bordado (Bordado’s Facebook page)

Camarines Sur 3rd district Rep. Gabriel Bordado, a close ally of former vice president Leni Robredo in the House of Representatives, expressed his support and commendation to the ongoing investigation of the chamber’s quad-committee (quad-comm).

During the hearing on Thursday, Nov. 7, Bordado delivered a manifestation to applaud the quad-comm for its “exemplary work” since it began to hold marathon hearings last August.

The mega panel, composed of the Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts, is currently probing the interconnected issues of illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators, illegal drugs, and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under the Duterte administration.

“We must not allow this investigation to falter nor the voices of those who seek justice to go unheard,” said Bordado, an assistant minority leader.

“As public servants, it is our duty to ensure that the truth is uncovered, that justice is served, and that we work together to prevent such abuses from ever occurring again,” he added.

Bordado also commended the leaders of the quad-comm, namely the overall chairman Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (Surigao del Norte 2nd district), and the co-chairpersons Reps. Dan Fernandez (Santa Rosa City lone district), Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. (Manila 6th district), and Joseph Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod Party-list).

“Through their painstaking efforts, the quad-comm has not only brought critical issues to light but also raised the bar for how we should approach investigations in this chamber, with integrity, impartiality, and a clear sense of purpose,” he said.

The veteran lawmaker likewise extended his gratitude to Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, Deputy Speaker David ”Jay-jay” Suarez, and Rep. Romeo Acop, a vice chairperson of the four panels comprising the quad-comm.

He also extolled the “young and very intelligent” interpellators of the joint panel “who have fearlessly asked the difficult questions and examined the facts with diligence”.

“In their capable hands, they have unearthed vital information that moves us closer to accountability and justice,” he added.

Bordado stressed that no matter how powerful the perpetrators behind issues such as EJKs and POGOs, no one should be immune from accountability.

“The perpetrators of these heinous acts must face the full consequences of the law and we owe it to the families of the victims to seek justice with unyielding resolve,” the congressman said.

“Mr. Chairman, let us remain united in our pursuit of truth, justice, and accountability,” he stressed.

Bordado, an outgoing lawmaker, will run for vice mayor of Naga City in next year’s elections. He will be the running mate of Robredo, who is running for mayor.

Before stepping foot in Congress, Bordado served as vice mayor under Robredo’s late husband, Naga City mayor Jesse Robredo.