House Committee on Human Rights chairperson and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante expressed his hope that Cassandra Li Ong will be “truthful” in her testimony in order for the quad-committee to better understand the issues unearthed during their investigations.
“We have seen how resource persons have attempted to escape the responsibility of giving testimony. We have witnessed how others have tried to hide from doing so, by being evasive and by being uncooperative with the joint committee. Today, we will see how sooner or later, everyone will be held to account,” he said.
From his perspective, Abente believes that all forms of gambling are “social ills” that should be stopped, and that POGOs and illegal drugs by extension, are part of a broader network of vices designed to “entangle and ensnare” members of society.
“This is why our hearings are vital. They are not merely about uncovering facts, they are about exposing how deep and widespread these problems are, and how they have infiltrated parts of our bureaucracy,” he admitted.
Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers commented that some of the resource persons may already be scared and “having nightmares” over what will be revealed during the hearings, choosing to be absent in order to prepare alibis.
“The responsibility of the quad-committee is undoubtedly noble and necessary for our country. During the past two hearings we have seen and heard testimonies from people with direct knowledge on the influx of illegal drugs and its entry into the country, allegedly facilitated by personalities with links to the former administration,” he said.
The Joint Committee on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order And Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts today will look into the drug-related extrajudicial killings under the Duterte Administration’s war on drugs, the proliferation of criminal activities and unlawful acts linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGOs, and the allegedly fictitious and falsified certificates of live birth and passports issued to foreign nationals, among others.
