The Quad Committee has recommended a joint hearing between the Senate and the House of Representatives to expedite the investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under the Duterte administration.
Quad Committee overall chairman Robert Ace Barbers announced on October 21, 2024, that they will propose to House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senate President Chiz Escudero to consolidate their respective investigations into a single joint committee hearing.
Barbers believes that a joint hearing will ensure broader, more comprehensive, and intelligent questioning from lawmakers, leading to a fairer investigation process.
He likened the proposed joint hearing to a joint session during the President’s State of the Nation Address or a bicameral conference committee.
Barbers emphasized the need for a unified approach to the EJK issue, stressing that it is a critical topic that requires thorough discussion and legislative solutions to end the killings.
While supporting the Senate’s parallel investigation, Barbers expressed optimism that the findings of both chambers will align.