'Dutertes have nothing to fear in House probe if they have nothing to hide'

MANILA — Leaders of the House Quad Committee investigating illegal drugs, illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations, and the alleged extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration’s drug war said Monday they are not playing politics and that the joint panel is committed in finding the truth based on evidence, wherever it may lead.

They said the Dutertes have nothing to fear in the probe if they have nothing to hide, adding that they will not be derailed by claims of political harassment.

The House Quad Comm leaders issued the statement after Vice President Sara Duterte alleged that that the claims of former Customs Intelligence Officer Jimmy Guban before the joint panel, which linked her brother, Rep. Paolo Duterte, and husband, Atty. Manases Carpio to illegal drug smuggling is “political harassment”.

“Political harassment has no place here. We are just doing our job. The truth is paramount. We are not here to play politics, but to uphold the principles of justice and accountability,” House Committee on Dangerous Drugs Chairperson Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said in a statement.

“‘Yung investigation naman namin started last year pa eh… Hindi pa naman sila naghihiwalay ni BBM during that time. So, I think wala naman political harassment,” House Committee on Public Order and Safety Chairperson Rep. Dan Fernandez told the media in an interview.

“If there’s nothing to hide, there’s no need to worry. Our mandate is clear: to uphold the law and ensure that justice is served. We will not be swayed by claims of harassment when the focus should be on the facts,” he added in a statement.

“Trabaho lang ito. Walang personalan… I am not doing this for politics’ sake… It is part of my advocacy. Kung tinatanong nila bakit ngayon lang… Siguro natatakot sila in the past. Walang political harassment diyan. Walang political attack dyan. Eh siya ang Vice President, ako Congressman lang ako, bakit ko siya aatekihin?” House Committee on Human Rights Chairperson Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., for his part, said.

“We are committed to finding the truth based on evidence, not politics. If the Dutertes have nothing to hide, they have nothing to fear from our investigation. Our investigation is thorough and impartial. We follow the facts wherever they lead, and we won’t allow any distractions to derail our efforts,” House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson Rep. Joseph Paduano stressed.

He also advised the Dutertes to “answer the allegations directly instead of resorting to diversionary tactics”.

Fernandez said the Quad Comm will still have to validate Guban’s claims by inviting individuals, who would have first-hand knowledge. It will also discuss whether to invite the Vice President’s husband to the hearing.

Carpio tagged as baseless, maliciously false and politically motivated Guban’s allegations against him.

“It is evident that the allegations and insinuations made by Mr. Guban during the Quad Com hearing last Friday, August 16, 2024, are entirely baseless and maliciously false. The public and the esteemed members of the House of Representatives are, I trust, perceptive enough to recognize that Mr. Guban's claims, implicating Congressman Pulong and myself, are unmistakably politically motivated. I have full confidence that the members of the Quad Com possess the discernment to distinguish between fact and fiction in Mr. Guban's narrative,” Carpio said in a statement.

“Indeed, Mr. Guban himself unequivocally admitted before the Quad Com that he had fabricated the statements in the affidavits he submitted during the Senate inquiry and court proceedings,” he added.

Should Rep. Duterte offer to appear as resource person before the Quad Comm to counter Guban’s allegations, Fernandez said they are open to it.

The Davao City Congressman had said in a statement that he does not know Guban, adding that his claims have no basis and that the former Customs official has no credibility.

FACE HOUSE QUAD COMM

The Chairperson of House Committee on Human Rights, meanwhile, denied Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa’s claim that his panel’s investigation into the alleged violations committed in the Duterte administration’s drug war was “repetitive”.

Abante challenged the senator to face the Quad Comm to see for himself.

“Kung may sasabihin, huwag na niya sabihin sa media, sabihin na niya sa Quad Comm. Para talagang maging malinaw ang mga sagot niya. We're giving him the opportunity, due process for him to air his side and for us to be able to know his feelings about this,” Abante said.

NO IMPEACHMENT PLOT?

Abante and Fernandez also said they have yet to hear of an impeachment plot against the Vice President, after Duterte said that it is something she expects.

The Vice President resigned from Marcos Jr.’s cabinet as Education Secretary, which took effect last July. This move confirmed speculations of a rift between the two families.

“I haven’t heard of any sa House. Wala akong nadidinig na may nilulutong impeachment doon. Sa ngayon, wala akong nararamdaman. Pumupunta ako doon, pumapasok ako lagi. Pero wala akong nadidinig,” Fernandez said.

“Kahit alingasngas, talagang wala akong naririnig,” Abante added.