Members of the Quad Committee have called on Sen. Bato dela Rosa to distinguish between "reward" and "allowance" after his admission that police officers received cash payments through the office of the Special Assistant to the President and now Senator Bong Go for their involvement in the controversial war on drugs.
Sen. Risa Hontiverso made the call as she welcomed the Senate Committee of the Whole to investigate the past administration's drug war.
"Suportado namin itong panawagan ni Sen. Hontiveros na ipursige ang Senate Committee of the Whole investigation sa EJKs ng drug war ng nakaraang administrasyon. We are very pleased that both Houses of Congress are of one mind in this,” Quad Comm lead chair Rep. Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Sur said.
“Kung totoo nga na mayroong 'allowances' na binibigay, dapat ipaliwanag ni Sen. Bato kung bakit, kanino ito napunta, at saan ito nanggaling,” he added.
Barbers emphasized that the Senate probe is crucial for uncovering the truth about the drug war operations.
Barbers further stated that Dela Rosa's acknowledgment of these payments warrants further scrutiny.
His co-chair Rep. Dan Fernandez of Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, added that cash payments, which Dela Rosa referred to as "allowances," should be fully explained by the embattled senator as to their nature, including why they were given and to whom.
He emphasized that it is vital to establish whether the necessary safeguards were followed to disburse public funds.
"Kung allowance man ito, kailangan nating malaman kung ano ang layunin ng pagbibigay nito, at kung nasunod ang mga patakaran para sa tamang paggamit ng pondo ng bayan," Barbers said.
Fernandez echoed Barbers' sentiments, stressing that Dela Rosa, as the chief architect and enforcer of the drug war, should be transparent about the cash payments.
He also welcomed Hontiveros' call for a Senate inquiry but warned that Dela Rosa should not lead the investigation due to an apparent conflict of interest.
"Sen. Dela Rosa cannot lead this Senate investigation because there is an obvious conflict of interest. Siya mismo ang nagpatupad ng mga utos sa ilalim ng madugong kampanya kontra droga. He was at the helm of this war, so he cannot objectively lead the probe," Fernandez explained.
Fernandez reiterated the importance of Dela Rosa providing a complete account of these "allowances" during the Quad Comm hearings.
“Sen. Dela Rosa should explain the full details of these allowances: bakit ito ibinibigay, kanino napunta at kung meron bang mga safeguard na nasunod sa pagbibigay nito,” Fernandez said, further urging the former PNP chief to clarify the source of these funds and if they were handled appropriately.
The Quad Comm has been conducting its investigation into the Duterte drug war, uncovering new information about financial incentives provided to police officers.
Former PCSO General Manager Royina Garma previously testified that an organized reward system existed, with large sums of money being distributed to officers as part of the operations to kill drug suspects.
The committee believes that these financial dealings are vital to understanding the scope of the abuses committed during the drug war.
Barbers noted the Senate Committee of the Whole, chaired by Senate President Francis Chiz Escudero, can bring about significant accountability for those involved in the drug war, including high-ranking officials.
"We fully support Sen. Hontiveros' push for the Senate to conduct its investigation. The House and Senate must work together to uncover the truth and ensure accountability for the thousands of lives lost," Barbers said.
However, Barbers also questioned the appropriateness of Sen. Dela Rosa's involvement in leading the Senate inquiry.
“Hindi maaaring si Sen. Bato mismo ang mamuno sa imbestigasyon na ito. May conflict of interest dahil siya mismo ang nasa sentro ng pagpapatupad ng kampanya. Dapat siya ang magbigay ng mga kasagutan, hindi siya ang dapat mag-lead ng investigation,” Barbers emphasized.
The Quad Comm co-chairs further called on Sen. Dela Rosa to appear before the House committee to explain the alleged cash payments, their origin, and whether they were channeled through the office of the then Special Assistant to the President, now Sen. Bong Go.
“Dapat linawin ni Sen. Dela Rosa kung saan nanggaling ang allowances na ito at kung sino ang mga nagbigay ng instruction, lalo na kung dumaan ito sa office ni Sen. Bong Go noong siya ang SAP,” Fernandez said.
With both the House and Senate now poised to investigate the Duterte drug war, the Quad Comm reaffirmed its commitment to holding those responsible for any misuse of public funds and any human rights violations accountable.
“Ang mahalaga dito ay makuha natin ang buong katotohanan para sa mga biktima at sa ating mga kababayan. Kailangang may managot at masigurado na hindi na ito mangyayari ulit sa ating bansa,” Barbers concluded.
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