THE House of Representatives must reconstitute the powerful Quad Comma to resume investigations that were stalled by political interference, fear and deliberate efforts to suppress the truth.
This was the call Wednesday of Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, who said Quad Comm 2.0 is not only necessary but also a test of Congress’ commitment to accountability and the restoration of public trust.
“We need Quad Comm 2.0 because the fight for truth is not yet over. The people deserve to know what was hidden, who was protected, and why justice has been delayed for so long. We owe them closure, not cover-ups,” said Adiong, a leader of the House “Young Guns” bloc.
The original Quad Comm, composed of the House Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts, was formed in 2024 in response to concerns over the rise of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and their alleged links to serious crimes, the illicit drug trade, supposed land-grabbing by some Chinese nationals, and the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) tied to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
Earlier, Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, and former Sta. Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez urged lawmakers to reconstitute the “Quad Comm” when the 20th Congress convenes later this month. They warned that unresolved investigations into drug-related killings, Chinese-linked syndicates, and government corruption must not be allowed to fade into obscurity.
During the 19th Congress, Abante, Barbers and Fernandez chaired the House Committees on Human Rights, Dangerous Drugs, and Public Order and Safety, respectively.
The call to revive the Quad Comm was first raised by La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V and Adiong, two key members of the House Young Guns.
The mega-panel held 15 joint hearings that uncovered disturbing connections among syndicates, government agencies and high-profile individuals.
However, several questions were left unanswered as public attention shifted, political pressure mounted and the midterm election cycle began to dominate the national agenda.
“We were pulling at the threads of something deeper—systemic abuse, orchestrated cover-ups, and a culture of fear that infected our institutions,” Adiong said.
He added: “But just as the truth began to surface, efforts to derail the process intensified. Investigations were stalled. Political noise took over. Witnesses disappeared. What was left was an unfinished mission.”
Adiong said Quad Comm 2.0 would allow the House to resume its oversight role on matters that go beyond individual violations and point to institutional decay.
The goal, he said, is to restore accountability and strengthen democratic checks.
“This is unfinished business. We must answer the questions that were never allowed to be fully asked. We must complete investigations that were deliberately cut short. And we must repair the damage done to our democratic institutions by years of silence, fear, and disinformation,” he said.
Adiong added that the joint panel will also examine newly emerging issues related to illegal drugs, EJKs, public order and corruption involving public resources.
“This is not about vengeance. It’s about responsibility. We e are not looking back to punish—we are looking back to prevent this from ever happening again,” Adiong said.
He noted that the Quad Comm’s previous work laid the foundation for important reforms and public awareness, but much more remains to be done.
“Truth does not expire. And justice, no matter how delayed, is still justice worth demanding. The Filipino people have waited long enough. It’s time to finish what we started,” Adiong stressed.
