HOUSE Quad Committee co-chairman Manila Congressman Benny Abante, Jr. (6th district) opined that Vice President Sara Duterte ‘should confine herself to helping people instead of attacking people,’ even as he branded as ‘very dangerous and reckless’ the pronouncements of former President Rodrigo Duterte calling for the military to take action against President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
Abante also told the ‘Balitaan sa Harbor View’ forum of the Manila City Hall Reporters’ Associaton (MACHRA), that the QuadComm is hoping to already wrap up its hearings on POGOs and the extra-judicial killings (EJKs) by December and focus its attention on the illegal drugs issue at hand, particularly the over P6 billion controversial shipment in 2017 for which Customs broker Mark Taguba was already sentenced.
Also according to Abante, while impeachment is not in their minds, the case of VP Sara may lead to plunder, based on the details and amount of money involved and which is now the subject of an investigation in Congress.
Amid the recent political developments, Abante said that VP Sara could end the ‘drama’ by just telling the truth and stop accusing of many things the Congressmen who are just doing their job.
On the call of the Catholic Church for a stop to the political bickerings, Abante said that this does not cover the series of Congressional investigation which he said are not political but issues-based.
He stressed that there are no personal issues involved in the House inquiries and that there are legitimate issues that necessitate investigation, specially ones that involve government funds.
“We are here to demand accountability and right the wrongs,” Abante said, adding that the purpose of the House probe on important issues is to get answers, pinpoint accountability and prevent a repeat of the same wrongdoing in the future.
On former President Duterte’s statement questioning the military’s continued support for President Marcos, Abante praised the Armed Forces of the Philippines for coming up with a stand to not join politics and continue being loyal to the people, country and the Constitution.
Abante said Duterte is sowing disunity and questioned the propriety of his remarks, specially since he is a former commander-in-chief, stressing how he can send the wrong message to the public.
He also said that Duterte should think back as to how he would feel if a former President also made the same call while he (Duterte) was the President.
