THE final hearing of the House Quad Committee on Monday concluded with lawmakers revealing that 15 marathon hearings led to the drafting of five major legislative measures addressingextrajudicial killings, offshore gaming operations, land fraud, identity falsification, and espionage.
The proposed measures included House Bill (HB) 10986 (Anti-Extrajudicial Killing Act), HB 10987 (Anti-Offshore Gaming Operations Act), HB 11043 (Civil Forfeiture Act), HB 11117 (Fraudulent Birth Certificate Cancellation Law), and HB 10998 (Espionage Law of 2024).
Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., co-chair of the Quad Comm and chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, could not attend the session but had his opening statement delivered by Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong.
Abante, in his remarks, identified the measures resulting from the Quad Comm’s investigation into human rights violations and transnational crimes tied to the outlawed POGO operations.
“We have heard accounts that chilled the soul – of lives discarded like refuse, of uniforms used to conceal lawlessness, of badges used as instruments of fear,” noted.
“But we did not turn away. We listened. We dug deep. And, most importantly, we acted. We did not just listen, we don’t just pity, but we also act,” he added in a mix of English and Filipino.
Abante said these legislative results were proof that congressional oversight can be a path to national correction, while commending the whistleblowers and civilian witnesses who risked their safety to testify.
In the same hearing, Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez said owners of buildings, resorts, condominiums, and hotels where Chinese nationals operate their POGO hubs should be held equally liable for unlawful activities taking place in their properties,
“I think those who own these properties know that… There should be responsibility on their part as well di ba (isn’t it)?” Fernandez, chairman of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety told Philippine National Police (PNP) and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) officials during the Quadcom hearing.
Fernandez also called attention to recent raids conducted by PAOCC, the PNP, and other agencies at a resort on Alabat Island, Quezon, at the Yuchengco Tower on Ayala Avenue in Makati City and at a Pasay City Hotel.
Quoting news reports, he said 42 Chinese nationals were arrested in Alabat, while 188 Chinese citizens were taken into custody in the Yuchengco Tower raid.
He said the property owners should be charged with violating Executive Order (EP) 74, which President Marcos issued last November 5.
The President’s order banned “Philippine offshore gaming, internet gaming and other offshore gaming operations” in the country.
Responding to a question from Fernandez, a PNP-Criminal Investigation Group official said none of the property lessors has been charged.
However, Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz of PAOCC said they are looking at a “template” to include property owners in criminal cases, together with POGO operators and personnel.
“We already did this in the case of the Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga POGOs,” he said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “House Quad Comm hearings result in 5 bills.”
