House Committees to Refile Quad-comm and Tri-comm Bills in 20th Congress

The House quad-committee (quad-comm) and tri-committee (tri-comm) efforts will not go to waste as Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong confirmed that resulting measures from the previous 19th Congress investigations will be refiled in the current 20th Congress. The filing of bills in the 20th Congress began on June 30. The quad-comm and tri-comm were special joint panels established by the House of Representatives in the 19th Congress, focusing on extrajudicial killings, POGOs, online misinformation, and disinformation. The bills discussed covered definitions of disinformation, penalties for violators, and compliance obligations for platforms. The House adopted recommendations to define and penalize online falsehoods, enhance tax compliance, and ensure content accuracy standards. Adiong emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in navigating digital spaces. The quad-comm proposed legislative measures to address EJKs, POGOs, identity fraud, and espionage, including classifying EJKs as heinous crimes, prohibiting POGOs, and strengthening customs enforcement. Former Reps. Robert Ace Barbers and Joel Chua served as chairmen of the quad-comm and tri-comm, respectively.