House solons hit Bato over drug war probe

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa (left) and House Deputy Speaker David Suarez

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the House of Representatives slammed Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa for trying to derail the multicommittee probe of drug war killings and the proliferation of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).

“This investigation is about uncovering the truth behind the syndicates involved in illegal drugs and Pogos. It is not, and never has been, about politics,” Quezon Rep. David Suarez said on Sunday.

Suarez, who is also deputy Speaker, chided Dela Rosa for invoking “parliamentary courtesy” in trying to wriggle out of the probe of the killings of more than 6,000 Filipinos when the senator was chief of the Philippine National Police from 2016 to 2018.

READ: House probe to ask Bato not as senator but as ex-PNP chief – Abante

Suarez said Dela Rosa’s claims “are not only unnecessary but also unparliamentary and unbecoming of a public servant. The House leadership has always acted with the utmost integrity and it is highly irresponsible for anyone to suggest that they are behind a witch hunt against Senator Dela Rosa or former President [Rodrigo] Duterte.”

The House formed a “supercommittee,” comprised of four committees, to investigate the supposed connection of Pogos with the drug war killings, narcotics trafficking, and human rights violations.

Speaker Martin Romualdez earlier explained that the quad committee was formed in response to eight privilege speeches and approved resolutions.

The quad committee is composed of the committees on human rights; public accounts; dangerous drugs; and public order and safety and is set to convene in Pampanga on Monday, Aug. 12.

Prompted by events

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chair of the dangerous drugs panel, said that it was agreed to hold the first hearing in Pampanga because there were many possible witnesses in the province.

“We’re bringing the committee to that place,” he said because an illegal Pogo hub in Porac town was shut down on Aug. 16, where P1.3 billion worth of methamphetamine, or “shabu,” was discovered in Mabalacat City and a larger P3.6 billion worth of shabu shipment was seized in Mexico town in September 2023.

Also on Sunday, Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party list Rep. France Castro reminded her colleagues against abusing the legislative power to cite in contempt and order an arrest following the chamber’s construction of a bigger detention facility.

She pointed out that the legislative power must be “used judiciously and in service of truth-seeking.”

“The Supreme Court has affirmed Congress’ power to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation, including the power of contempt and arrest,” Castro said, but stressed, “We must remember that with great power comes great responsibility.”

Less reason to lie

“What the construction of a separate detention facility in Congress portends to is that more and more witnesses or resource persons are determined to hide the truth,” she pointed out.

“They must be compelled to reveal crucial information, especially regarding issues like the EJKs (extrajudicial killings) under the fake drug war of the Duterte administration and the Pogo controversy,” Castro added.

Even then, she warned against the likely abuse of the power to cite for contempt, saying, “While we recognize the need for such a facility, we must ensure that it is used solely for its intended purpose, to aid in legislation and uncover the truth.”

“It should never be used as a tool for intimidation or political persecution and violation of citizens’ rights under the Constitution and laws,” Castro emphasized, calling on her House colleagues to exercise utmost discretion and fairness in using the detention facility.

“Let us use this tool wisely and judiciously, always in pursuit of truth and in service of the Filipino people.”