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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bato dares vlogger 'Maharlika' to face Senate probe on alleged PDEA leak

Bato dares vlogger 'Maharlika' to face Senate probe on alleged PDEA leak

Published Apr 30, 2024 09:02 am

Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa challenged Los Angeles-based vlogger Claire Contreras, who goes by the name “Maharlika,” on Tuesday, April 30 to face the Senate in its inquiry regarding the alleged leakage of a confidential document from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

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Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa underscores the importance of keeping sensitive issues under wraps as he reminded members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) that unauthorized disclosure of classified documents may compromise national security during an inquiry conducted by the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Tuesday, April 30, 2024, on the alleged PDEA leaks and the seizure of 1.2 tons of shabu in Batangas.

Wrapping up the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, Dela Rosa was irked after reading a Facebook post of "Boldyakan" used by Contreras, wherein, she asked if the senator was paid by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

"We are trying our best here to come up with the truth and nothing but the truth, wala tayong pinapanigan, ngayon, pati ako tinitira na (we are not siding with anyone, but now, even I'm being lambasted)," Dela Rosa said during the hearing.

Dela Rosa even mentioned that he's willing to shoulder Contreras' travel expenses in order to attend the Senate hearing.

"I feel insulted and it's a very unfair accusation because I'm doing my best to conduct a very objective and a very fair hearing," he said.

"Baka yung gusto niya, yung gusto niya yung masusunod (Maybe she wants it to go her way). No, I am the chairman, I have to run the show. Baka gusto niya kaagad na i-crucify agad natin na gusto nila i-crucify. Yan ang gusto niya kaya siya nagalit siya sa akin (Perhaps they want to crucify the people that they want to get crucified). How unfair those people are," he added.

The hearing stemmed from an interview of former PDEA agent Jonathan Morales who went to Contreras regarding the leakage of a confidential document that contained the alleged involvement of President Marcos in illegal drugs.

This was based on the pre-operation report that Morales himself crafted.

According to the document, dated March 11, 2012, a confidential informant personally appeared before PDEA to report that a group of showbiz and political personalities are frequently using illegal drugs at a residence in Rockwell located in Makati City.

There was also a document providing authority to operate for surveillance and casing in Makati City that involved vehicles that belonged to the PDEA. Yet, this did not push through, according to Morales.

He even mentioned that the order came from former Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. Dela Rosa, then, tasked the Senate panel to invite Ochoa to the next hearing.

However, PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo said that the allegations by Morales are fabricated and have no basis, stating that they expect no genuineness from him citing various cases that have been filed against him.

Dela Rosa said that the endgame for this hearing is for the truth to come out and that no vested interests or hidden agendas are involved.

"Unauthorized disclosure of these classified documents may bring a country down," he said.

Related Tags

Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Senator Ronald Bato dela Rosa President Marcos
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