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)

Ni Liza Soriano

SINABI ni Senador Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa nitong Martes na hindi pa sila nakakapag-usap ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte hinggil sa paglaya ni dating Senador Leila de Lima matapos ang halos pitong taong pagkakakulong.

“Wala po. Hindi pa kami nag-usap tungkol diyan,” ayon kay Dela Rosa, na hepe ng Philippine National Police (PNP) nang arestuhin at ikulong ang dating senadora.

Itinakda ng isang korte sa Muntinlupa ang P300,000 piyansa para sa pansamantalang paglaya ni De Lima.

Si De Lima, na isang vocal critic ni Duterte sa kanyang termino, ay nakalaya mula sa PNP Custodial Center sa Camp Crame, Quezon City noong Lunes ng gabi matapos magpiyansa.

Pinayagan ng Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 ang kanyang motion for reconsideration sa kanyang petisyon na makapagpiyansa sa kanyang natitirang kaso sa droga.

Si De Lima at ang kanyang mga kapwa akusado na sina dating Corrections Director Franklin Bucayu, driver na si Ronnie Dayan, Joenel Sanchez, at Jad Dera ay pinayagan ding makapagpiyansa ng P300,000 bawat isa.

(ai/mnm)

By Dang Samson Garcia

SENATOR Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said on Monday that he will fight for the restoration of the confidential fund of the Department of Education if other senators will support it.

“Ang akin lang ay nasasayangan ako sa tsansa na tuluyan nang mahinto ang recruitment ng Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army dito sa ating kabataan sa eskwelahan,” dela Rosa said.

He said that the agency can use the P150 million confidential fund for its efforts to stop CPP-NPA’s recruitment in schools permanently.

Dela Rosa however admitted that without the support of his colleagues, he would not move to defend DepEd’s confidential allocation.

“I will see if many will support including the leadership of the Senate, that will also be a factor in our effort in the plenary,” the lawmaker said. “But I am not dying for that.”