House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

What one committee can do, four can do better. 

It is with this notion that members of the House of Representatives is pushing for the formation of a four-committee panel that would comprehensively look into Philippine Offshore Gambling Operators (POGOs), and crimes associated with it; illegal drugs; and the previous Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs. 

Leaders of the House of Representatives are pushing for the formation of a four-committee panel that would comprehensively look into Philippine offshore gambling operations (POGOs) and crimes associated with it, illegal drugs and the Duterte administration’s bloody anti-drug war. 

The move was initiated on Monday, Aug. 5 by Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., who, in a privilege speech, called for combining into one the separate ongoing inquiries by three committees on the topics of POGOs, illegal drugs, and human rights violations and extra-judicial killings (EJKs) that happened during the conduct of the previous administration's drug war. 

Two other House members, Manila 3rd district Rep.Joel Chua of Manila, Quezon City 5th district Rep. PM Vargas filed on Monday House Resolution (HR) No.1843, which proposed a fusion of the inquiries by the three panels--The Committee on Dangerous Drugs, the Committee on Public Order and Safety, and Committee on Human Rrghts. 

Another solon, Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville Luistro, suggested during Monday’s plenary session that a fourth panel--the Committee on Public Accounts, of which she is a member--be included in the proposed multi-committee investigating body. 

Gonzales’ privilege speech, HR No.1843, and Luistro’s suggestion have all been referred to the Committee on Rules chaired by Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep Manuel Jose Dalipe for proper action. 

In his remarks, Gonzales said the nation was "currently grappling with complex issues involving public order, the proliferation of dangerous drugs, and human rights violations". 

Gonzales stressed the need for a “unified and collaborative approach” in looking into the “interconnected problems and issues” that surfaced. 
“We must address these issues in a coordinated and timely manner to ensure justice and the rule of law,” said the proud Cabalen. 

He noted that the Committee on Games and Amusement, together with the public order and safety panel, are probing illegal POGOs and criminal activities associated with them; while the dangerous drugs panel has an ongoing inquiry into the confiscation of P3.6 billion worth of illegal drugs in Mexico town, Pampanga in September 2023. 

Meanwhile, the Committee on Human Rights, has started a probe into EJKs and human rights violations linked to Duterte’s anti-drug war. 

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“These individual inquiries by the three committees have been persistent and yet exhaustive. Still, there are issues that are interwoven entailing scrutiny into intricate details,” Gonzales said in his privilege speech. 

He said the separate investigations “have shown an overlap or commonalities on individuals or resource persons that may be invited in the hearings". 
 

HR No.1843 was eventually adopted by the House members in plenary on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 6.

“The complex yet interrelated nature of the issues surrounding public order, dangerous drugs, and human rights violations demonstrates the unique benefits of a collaborative approach that only a joint investigation can provide. 

"A joint investigation will enable us to conduct a more inclusive and thorough examination of these interlocking issues,” the Pampanga lawmaker explained. 

He said that a unified House panel probe will “allow us to invite resource persons who can provide valuable insights across multiple areas of concern". 

"This coordinated effort will ensure that our findings are comprehensive and that our legislative recommendations are practical and encompassing,” said the senior deputy majority leader.