MANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan Bloc called for the immediate resumption of the hearings at the House of Representatives over Vice President Sara Duterte's alleged illegal activities involving confidential funds, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and drug syndicates.
The call comes after Duterte announced her 2028 Presidential bid on Wednesday.
The Quad Committee and the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability held hearings on the sworn statement of alleged security consultant Ramil Madriaga who implicated Duterte in the anomalous activities.
In a statement, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago, and Kabataan Partylist Rep. Renee Louise Co also said that the hearings should also investigate cases of political extrajudicial killings of activists and human rights defenders, particularly in light of the upcoming International Criminal Court pre-trial proceedings against former president Rodrigo Duterte.
"Madriaga's revelations detail Oplan Double Barrel support operations, the delivery of confidential funds and the roles of Col. Raymund Dante Lachica and Col. Dennis Nolasco, POGO funding for the Sara Duterte campaign, and magnetic lifters used for drug deliveries that passed through customs," They said.
They added that Madriaga's allegations connect the Office of the Vice President to criminal syndicates, illegal gambling operations, and the drug trade.
"The Filipino people deserve answers. How can the Vice President, who has repeatedly claimed proper use of confidential funds, explain allegations of cash-filled vehicles being dropped off at parking lots? How can she account for claims that her campaign was funded by the very POGO operators and drug dealers her father's administration claimed to be fighting? If Madriaga's statements are true, this represents a betrayal of public trust of historic proportions," they said.
They also said that the Quad Committee must investigate the role of state security forces, intelligence agencies, and paramilitary groups in the killings of activists, human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers and community organizers during the Duterte administration.
"This is not partisan politics—this is about accountability and the right of the Filipino people to know the truth," the group said.