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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Itataya ko buhay ko!': No hidden agenda in 'PDEA leaks' probe, says Dela Rosa

'Itataya ko buhay ko!': No hidden agenda in 'PDEA leaks' probe, says Dela Rosa

Published May 13, 2024 09:42 am

At A Glance

  • Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said he doesn't have any hidden agenda in leading the Senate investigation into the alleged leaked documents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

C683C55F-0D5A-4B43-8BF5-70D2DC8EF8F5.jpegSenator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa (Senate Social Media Unit)

For the record, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said he doesn’t have any hidden agenda in leading the Senate investigation into the alleged leaked documents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Dela Rosa assured the public of his objectivity during the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs’ third hearing on the matter Monday, May 13.

“Kaya nga tayo nagkakaroon ng hearing to hear everyone, para pakingggan natin sila, wala po tayong hidden agenda dito. It’s up for us to evaluate yung mga sinasabi nila kung totoo ba yun o hindi,” the senator said.

(That's why we're having a hearing to hear everyone, so we can listen to them, we don't have a hidden agenda here. It's up for us to evaluate whether what they say is true or not.)

Dela Rosa is primarily referring to the main resource person of the investigation--former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Jonathan Morales--who has been heavily criticized for spewing allegations sans any credible evidence.

For Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, the mere fact that Morales doesn’t have any evidence to present should be enough reason to question the credibility of his allegations.

“If we continue to the imagination, the alibis of this witness, it might diminish the credibility of this committee,” said Estrada.

Morales recently linked then-senator and now President Marcos and actress Maricel Soriano to alleged illegal drug use.

Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, was quick to deny the insinuation that he is legitimizing falsehoods.

“In fact, si Morales mismo mayron siyang sinasabi na pinapaniwalaan ko, mayron din siyang sinasabi na medyo alanganin ako (Morales himself has testimonies that make me believe, and testimonies that make me a bit hesitant). Just to set the record straight,” he noted.

“And rest assured, I will do my best as chairman of the committee na hindi magagamit ang committee na ito (that this committee will not be used) for any hidden agenda, political or personal agenda ng ibang tao (of other people),” the senator said.

“Itataya ko ang buhay ko dito sa hearing na ito (I will bet my life on this hearing) as far as objectivity and neutrality is concerned,” he continued.

Regarding Morales’ ongoing legal proceedings, the senator said he will continue to pursue fairness as the resource person “still has his own piece of truth”.

“How unfair could we be kung hindi natin siya papaniwalaan (if we don't believe him)?” Dela Rosa asked.

The senator told Estrada and Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri to continue trusting him with the investigation. He assures them that he is not out to embarrass the Senate.

Related Tags

Senate of the Philippines Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Bato dela Rosa Jonathan Morales pdea leaks
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