The House quad-committee (Mark Balmores/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Members of the “Young Guns” bloc of the House of Representatives expressed their gratitude to the public following the results of a recent survey showing that the majority of Filipinos were in favor of the ongoing investigations of the quad-committee (quad-comm).

The poll, conducted by Pulse Asia from Nov. 26 to Dec. 3, 2024, revealed that 61 percent of Filipinos support the panel’s probe into illegal drugs, illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to the Duterte administration.

In a joint statement on Sunday, Jan. 12, the lawmakers said the survey results are a clear affirmation that the public is “no longer blind to corruption”.

“Mulat na ang taumbayan sa katiwalian at pang-aabuso (The people are now aware of the corruption and abuse),” the Young Guns said.

“Hinihingi nila ang katotohanan at hustisya, at kami sa Kongreso ay hindi titigil hanggang makamit ito,” they added.

(They demand truth and justice, and we in Congress will not stop until these are achieved.)

The statement came from Reps. Rodge Gutierrez (1-Rider Party-list), Zia Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur 1st district), Pammy Zamora (Taguig 2nd district), Jay Khonghun (Zambales 1st district), Paolo Ortega (La Union 1st district), Jil Bongalon (Ako Bicol Party-list), and Lordan Suan (Cagayan de Oro City 1st district).

According to the congressmen, the strong public support for the quad-comm serves as a clear endorsement of the House’s efforts to uphold transparency and accountability.

“Ang laban na ito ay laban para sa bayan. Hindi kami titigil hanggang mailantad ang buong katotohanan at mapanagot ang mga nasa likod ng katiwalian, iligal na droga, at mga pag-abusong ito,” the Young Guns explained.

(This fight is a fight for the nation. We will not stop until the whole truth is exposed and those behind corruption, illegal drugs, and these abuses are held accountable.)

“Ang suporta ng taumbayan ang aming inspirasyon sa bawat hakbang na aming ginagawa,” the group said.

(The support of the people is our inspiration in every step we take.)

The Young Guns, a group of young lawmakers, is at the forefront of the quad-comm’s investigations as its primary interpellators of the invited resource persons.

After 13 public hearings, the mega-panel tagged former president Rodrigo Duterte and his inner circle for allegedly using the anti-drugs campaign as a cover for a “grand criminal enterprise”.