House leader sees larger effort to discredit PBBM admin

HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre on Thursday suggested that the testimony of a former agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) linking President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to illegal drug use is part of a larger effort to discredit and destabilize the current administration.

Acidre—together with Deputy Majority Leader and Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino “Inno” Dy, and Assistant Majority Leader and Taguig City 2nd District Rep. Amparo Maria “Pammy” Zamora—also raised doubts about the credibility of former PDEA intelligence officer Jonathan Morales’ claims, hinting at possible fabrication.

“I think it becomes even more clear now na itong mga pangyayaring ito ay kaparte ng isang mas malaki pang effort to discredit and destabilize the current administration,” Acidre said during the regular press conference at the House of Representatives.

During a recent hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, Morales provided testimony regarding the purported "authenticity" of leaked 2012 documents allegedly implicating then-Senator Bongbong Marcos and actress Maricel Soriano in illegal drug use.

However, PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo strongly refuted Morales' claims, asserting that the documents in question, including a supposed pre-operation report and authority to operate, were nonexistent. 

Lazo categorically stated that Morales' allegations were "fabricated" and “have no basis,” emphasizing that the Senate panel should not rely on testimony from an individual who had previously committed perjury by concealing his dismissal from the Philippine National Police (PNP) during his application to PDEA.

Acidre was confused and doubtful about Morales suddenly showing up and accusing the President of illegal drug involvement, especially since the hearing was meant to discuss the seizure of around 1.4 tons or P9.68 billion worth of shabu in Batangas. 

"Katulad nyo medyo naguguluhan din ako," Acidre said regarding Morales' unexpected involvement. 

Acidre further said, "Pinapakita siguro based on the testimony na talagang mas na-prove pa natin na itong si Morales eh nagsisinungaling.”

He stressed that the detailed explanations provided by PDEA, especially about how all operational reports are computerized and serialized, raised questions about Morales' statements.

Echoing Acidre’s sentiments, Dy questioned why Morales was included in the hearing when the main issue should have been the Batangas drug haul.

He also emphasized the ease of fabricating documents in today’s technology-driven world, citing the prevalence of deepfake technology.

“Dapat ang tatalakayin nung panahon na ‘yun ay ‘yung na-seize na 1.4 tons na shabu pero umabot na pinag-uusapan na ‘yung supposedly leaked PDEA documents, which are so easy to fabricate nowadays,” Dy pointed out. “Nakita naman natin may deepfake technology na, napakadaling mag-fabricate ngayon ng mga dokumento.”

Dy expressed doubt over Morales’ testimony, citing his questionable credibility due to past dismissal from the police force and previous issues with the PDEA. 

He also noted the lack of evidence from the PDEA corroborating Morales' claims and no less than the agency's leadership had refuted the existence of such documents.

“So, are we gonna believe the agency itself or a former agent na wala namang kredibilidad? Para sa akin napakadali ng pagpipilian natin,” Dy said.

Zamora, meanwhile, questioned the authenticity of the documents presented by Morales.

She pointed out that during the hearing, the PDEA acknowledged that the document lacked a control number. 

“Wala sa kahit anong record ng PDEA ‘yung ganong dokumento. So, obviously the document doesn’t exist,” Zamora said.

Zamora scrutinized the content of the document, particularly the address provided.

“‘Pag binasa mo naman ho ‘yung address, para sa akin wala naman ho atang ganoong address. There was a unit number tapos nakasulat nalang Rockwell Makati,” Zamora said. 

She added,” Kahit sino sa atin, kahit pumunta tayo ngayon sa Rockwell wala tayong mahahanap na ganong address, sure po ako. Wala pong naka indicate na kahit anong building, kahit anong kalye…Totoo na po ba ‘yung dokumento? So parang medyo doon po ako nag-aalangan sa dokumentong iyon.” (END)

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