House leaders: Senate ‘losing integrity’ over PDEA leaks probe

MANILA, Philippines — House leaders warned the Senate on Wednesday that it is “losing its integrity” by continuing to investigate an unverified document linking the president to illegal drug use – words that reflect the lower chamber’s suspicions that a full-blown destabilization plot against the Marcos administration is underway.

House Deputy Speaker Rep. David Suarez (Quezon, 2nd District) said in a press conference that the Senate probe is “out to malign and destroy” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. based on an alleged classified document by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), which links him and actress Maricel Soriano to illegal drug use. 

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The Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee chaired by Sen. Ronald dela Rosa has so far held two hearings on the alleged leaked documents, which were earlier shared on social media by blogger Maharlika, a known purveyor of dis- and mis-information.

On Wednesday, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri condemned the “hearsay” evidence presented by former PDEA investigation agent Jonathan Morales, who testified that the documents are real based on the word of an informant whose identity he said he could not remember.

Morales’ credibility as a witness has also been questioned by House lawmakers, senators and the PDEA itself, some of whom have brought up that he was dishonorably discharged from police service prior to his stint in the PDEA.

Rep. Jefferson Khonghun (Zambales, 1st District) said that the Senate inquiry linking Marcos to drug allegations was launched by by allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte to “detabilize” his administration and distract from other issues, such as the West Philippine Sea, the cases against controversial pastor Apollo Quiboloy and the pending investigation by the International Criminal Court. 
 
“Karamihan ng bumabanat sa ating presidente ngayon is kakampi ng dating administrasyon, so we dont need a scientist to see who is benefiting from the destabilization at sa mga ginagawa nilang pagpapahiya,” Khongun said.

(Most of those who are criticizing / insulting the