The House Panel will be recommending four pieces of legislation regarding Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) and extrajudicial killings (EJKs).
The House of Representatives’ quad committee is set to release an "initial report" before Congress adjourns for the Christmas break on December 20, 2024. This report will include not only a progress update on their findings but also propose four key pieces of legislation aimed at addressing the pressing issues.
Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers served as the presiding chairman of this Quad Comm which was tasked with investigating the links between illegal drugs, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Barbers explained that the report would be submitted to the plenary as a progress report. "The reason why we will submit [the initial report] in the plenary is that this is a progress report, and because there are things that really need to be acted upon the soonest, like our proposed legislation that we have already filed," Barbers was quoted as saying in a Philippine Star article.
Barbers emphasized that the proposed legislation would be critical for the government’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal activities linked to POGOs and the drug trade. The lawmaker added that the House plenary, which is composed of more than 300 members, could suggest that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. include these measures in his priority legislative agenda. Furthermore, they may urge the President to certify these bills as urgent, facilitating a faster approval process in Congress.
Proposed Legislation to Address EJKs and POGOs
The quad committee’s proposed legislation includes several measures aimed at tackling the root causes of these social problems.
One key proposal is a bill that would define extrajudicial killings (EJKs) as a heinous crime, carrying the maximum penalty for offenders. Another proposal calls for the creation of an inter-agency committee, led by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), to expedite the cancellation of fraudulent birth certificates. These fake documents have reportedly been used by some foreign nationals, particularly Chinese nationals, to acquire Filipino citizenship, further complicating efforts to combat illegal activities linked to POGOs and organized crime.
Barbers highlighted that these measures were among the four remedial bills that the committee had already filed, aimed at strengthening the government’s ability to respond to these challenges. The initial report is expected to contain further recommendations for filing charges against individuals involved in illegal drug operations, illicit POGOs, and EJKs. The committee will also urge the relevant government agencies to actively pursue these cases to ensure accountability and justice.
The inquiry, which is being conducted by the mega panel, has uncovered disturbing information, including instances where several Chinese nationals were found to have fraudulently obtained Filipino citizenship.
The committee's co-chairmen—Representatives Dan Fernandez of Santa Rosa, Laguna; Bienvenido Abante of Manila’s sixth district; and Joseph Stephen Paduano of the Abang Lingkod party-list—have played crucial roles in the investigation. Barbers chairs the House committee on dangerous drugs, while Fernandez heads the committee on public order and safety, Abante leads the human rights committee, and Paduano chairs the committee on public accounts.
Accountability for Local Officials Involved in POGOs
Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has warned local government officials that they may face suspension similar to Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil, who was recently placed under preventive suspension for his alleged failure to properly address POGO operations in his locality. Gatchalian emphasized the importance of holding local government officials accountable for POGO activities in their areas of jurisdiction.
“There is a precedent that local government chief executives could be suspended when POGOs enter their place,” Gatchalian stated. He added that local officials play a crucial role in ensuring that businesses operating in their areas comply with national policies, particularly those related to illegal activities such as POGOs.
Gatchalian pointed out that the suspension of Mayor Capil was due to his alleged negligence in overseeing POGO operations within his jurisdiction. The mayor is accused of failing to inspect the operations and of issuing permits that did not align with the true nature of the businesses. The Office of the Ombudsman served a six-month preventive suspension against Capil, further underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring that local officials take responsibility for the activities in their areas.
The senator also drew a distinction between negligence and direct involvement in criminal activities. He cited the case of Alice Guo, the former mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, who was dismissed from office after being implicated in enabling illegal POGO operations in her town. Guo faces serious allegations of active complicity in allowing these operations to flourish, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability at all levels of government.
As the national government intensifies its stance against POGOs, Gatchalian stressed the need for local government officials to support the national government's efforts. President Marcos has issued a directive to ban POGOs, signaling a firm stance on the issue. Local officials are now being called upon to cooperate in enforcing the ban and ensuring that their jurisdictions are free from illegal POGO activities.
Read related article: House Passes Bill vs. Fake Birth Certificates of Foreigners
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