House Quad Comm assures fairness during EJK probe

FILE: House Quad Committee Chair and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers. (Photo: House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – House Quad Committee (quad comm) chair Robert Ace Barbers on Wednesday reaffirmed the panel’s commitment to fairness during its hearing on the alleged extrajudicial killings linked to the previous administration’s drug war.

In his opening remarks, Barbers said the committee’s role is to uncover the truth, offering former president Rodrigo Duterte, the opportunity to address the allegations against him.

“Sa kagustuhan naming bigyan ng pagkakataon ang dating pangulo na magpaliwanag at pasinungalingan ang mga bintang sa kanya ay minabuti naming siya mismo ang imbitahan (In our desire to give the former president an opportunity to explain and refute the accusations against him, we deemed it proper to invite him personally),” the representative of Surigao del Norte 2nd District said.

Responding to earlier statements by Duterte’s lawyer, Martin Delgra III, who questioned the committee’s integrity, independence, and probity, Barbers underscored that Duterte’s presence in the hearing disputes such a claim.

“Sa inyong desisyon na magpakita dito sa amin at paunlakan ang aming imbitasyon ay pinasinungalingan ninyo ang sinabi ni Atty. Delgra na wala kaming integridad, independence, at probity (By deciding to appear here and accepting our invitation, you disproved Atty. Delgra’s statement that we lack integrity, independence, and probity),” he said.

“Kaya ngayon na nandirito na ang dating Pangulo, tinatanggap po namin ang inyong pagdalo at kami ay nagpapasalamat.” (Now that the former president is here, we welcome your presence, and we thank you),” Barbers added.

Barbers also refuted claims that the committee pressured witnesses to testify against Duterte, emphasizing the panel’s dedication to transparency.

“Kung sa sinasabi niyo po naman na ang mga ibang tao na humarap dito ay aming pinuwersa upang magsabi ng hindi totoo at tinawag niyo pang subornation ang ginawa ng quad comm members, ay nagkakamali po kayo (If you’re saying that the people who testified here were forced by us to say things that were not true and that what the quad comm members did was subornation, you are mistaken),” he said.

He further assured Duterte that his rights would be respected throughout the proceedings.

”Iginagalang po namin kayo and in deference to you being the former President of the Republic, we shall accord you all the respects due you, kung kaya’t binuksan namin ang pandinig na ito upang hindi po masayang ang pagod ninyo sa pagdalo ninyo sa amin (We respect you and in deference to you being the former President of the Republic, we shall accord you all the respects due to you, which is why we opened this hearing so that your effort in attending us would not be in vain),” he said.

The November 13 hearing was initially canceled, but the House Quad Committee decided to push through after Duterte accepted the invitation to attend the hearing.

Abang Lingkod Rep. and quad comm co-chair Joseph Stephen Paduano said the committee is focused on conducting a transparent and thorough investigation.

“As we continue our hearing, I wish to reaffirm the Quad Committee’s commitment to a thorough, transparent, and accountable examination of the issues before us. Proceeding with today’s hearing underscores our dedication to a fair and open inquiry, one that seeks truth and clarity rather than distraction or delay. Our work here is not a matter of posturing but of responsibility — to the law, to the people, and to those impacted by our actions,” Paduano said.

Paduano hoped that the discussions “do not devolve into empty rhetoric aimed at evading the truth.”

“With that in mind, let us strive to make this hearing meaningful, productive, and focused on uncovering the truth. Let us honor the public’s trust by ensuring that this session is conducted with integrity and purpose,” Paduano said.

He cautioned against using the hearing for personal or political gains, underscoring the seriousness of the proceedings.

“If this hearing will be used as a platform to score propaganda points, then we should not waste the public’s time. This is not the place for shallow tactics or personal agendas,” he said.

Manila Rep. and quad comm co-chair Bienvenido Abante Jr., in his opening remarks, said the purpose of the inquiry is to seek accountability and uncover the truth, as well as recommend avenues for justice to be served.

“It is our sincere hope that the former president’s presence here today will aid this objective, not hinder it. Today we ask everyone here, including the former president, to speak openly and honestly, as this inquiry’s goal is not to cast blame for its own sake but to serve the cause of justice,” Abante said.

He stressed that while Duterte should be accorded with respect, the committee must not show deference and maintain an impartial stance to uphold its duty to the Filipino people.

“Let me draw a clear line here. While we should be respectful, we cannot be deferential. Mga kababayan (To our countrymen) watching today, it is important to stress that respect and deference are two different things. It is vital that we, as representatives of the people, remember that distinction, because our ultimate allegiance is not to any one individual, no matter how high their office. We answer to a power greater than any president—we answer to the Filipino people,” he said.