By Junex Doronio
MANILA — For conducting Senate hearings and entertaining the allegations of a discredited agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa must issue a public apology to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
This was the contention of House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun in reaction to the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs’ fourth hearing on the issue.
“Kung walang napatunayan dito sa hearing na ito, sana ano, ako’y nakikiusap kay Senator Bato, we call on him, to make a public apology sana kay Presidente Bongbong Marcos,” Khonghun said in a press conference on Monday (20 May 2024).
Dela Rosa, a close ally of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, chairs the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.
Dela Rosa has aired his inclination to believe dismissed PDEA Jonathan Morales who had claimed “authenticity” of leaked 2012 documents allegedly implicating then-Senator Marcos and actress Maricel Soriano in illegal drug use.
But PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo has refuted Morales’ claims, saying they were “fabricated” and had “no basis”.
He also told the Senate panel that it should not rely on testimony from an individual who had previously committed perjury by concealing his dismissal from the Philippine National Police (PNP) when he applied for a job at PDEA.
“So nananawagan ako, nakikiusap ako na kung walang mapatunayan sa hearing na to na ebidensiya, no, sana no, humingi sila ng tawad sa ating Pangulo dahil talagang dina-drag nila ‘yung pangalan, ‘yung malinis na pangalan ng ating Pangulo, lalong- lalo na sa mga usapin na wala naman siyang kasalanan,” Khonghun said.
(el Amigo/mnm)
