It’s no secret that the numerous hearings conducted by the Quad Committee have relentlessly exposed Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (“FPRRD”), along with his family and cronies, as deeply embroiled in extrajudicial killings, rampant drug issues, and the illegal machinations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (“POGO”).

Investigations have indicated that Mans Carpio, Pulong Duterte, and Michael Yang emerged as the biggest smugglers and distributors in this despicable operation. Under the charade of a “war on drugs,” FPRRD systematically eliminated rivals and enemies from the drug trade, conveniently labeling them as threats on Duterte’s Drug List or simply having them killed off—an operation primarily executed by his lapdogs in the Philippine National Police led by Bato Dela Rosa. The funding for these heinous acts comes from the very illegal POGOs and Small Town Lotteries controlled by Royina Garma, Bong Go, and Harry Roque. Disturbingly, drugs coursed through these illegal POGOs funded not only unlawful gambling and human trafficking but also torture and other atrocities. One would expect a president to take action against such crimes; instead, FPRRD has proven to be the puppeteer behind the curtain.

Despite being knee-deep in the most notorious crimes of the decade, Duterte boldly declared, in a live interview, that he would graciously appear before the Quad Committee to confront the allegations against him—provided they ask “educated” questions. This, coming from a notoriously foul-mouthed man who boasted of his barely passing grades, is laughable. FPRRD should take a good look in the mirror and reconsider whether he can engage in anything resembling intelligent discourse.

Congressman Benny Abante has aptly called out this charade, confirming that the Quad Committee will summon FPRRD to one of their hearings. The Committee is prepared to ask questions that may qualify as “educated” and extend to him the respect and politeness that a former president technically deserves. However, respect is a two-way street. Can someone who openly sexualizes women and hurls insults at will demand respect? Can a person who’s wielded death without due process expect cordiality?

If there’s one thing we can reliably predict about FPRRD, it’s his penchant for quick reversals. My prediction: he’ll soon backtrack on his willingness to cooperate, unleashing a torrent of expletives aimed at the members of the Quad Committee, all while pretending bravado to evade accountability. And if he dares to show up, don’t hold your breath for any substantial answers; he’ll likely hide behind the right against self-incrimination or dismiss questions as irrelevant.

This behavior is disturbingly reminiscent of Sara Duterte’s antics during recent Budget Committee hearings. Truly, the Duterte playbook is on full display.

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