Former president Rodrigo Duterte bared he has has full confidence in Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to reveal the truth about the alleged leaked Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) documents.
“I have full faith kaya lang medyo madaldal, minsan; kung saan-saan pumupunta ‘yung bunganga pero hayaan mo siya. Si Bato, ipangako ko sa’yo, ilalabas niya ‘yang totoo kung ano man ‘yang p*t*ng in*ng ‘yan. Magtiwala kayo kay Bato. PMAer ‘yan, mahusay na opisyal, at straightforward sa buhay niya. Sa pinakamahabang panahon, he worked for me. He is good and he will be a leader of our country, he will be a protector of the people’s interest,” the former president said in a press conference during the Hakbang ng Maisug prayer rally in Dumaguete City on Tuesday.
Dela Rosa continued the motu proprio public hearing and investigation on the alleged Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) leak issue, which is in aid of legislation, to further strengthen government capability and protection in handling classified documents and information.
Presiding over Tuesday’s hearing, Dela Rosa, chair of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, said Filipinos need to know what transpired and the true story behind the alleged PDEA leaked information.
“We do not owe to the Filipino people a hearing that sidelines as a circus or as a variety show, we owe them instead a process marked by integrity, respect for due process, and a commitment to justice,” Dela Rosa said.
However, several netizens expressed disappointment with the senator’s handling of the hearing where one of the resource speakers was actress Maricel Soriano.
Some said he was tough on former PDEA agent Jonathan Morales but when it came to Soriano, he gave her soft treatment.
Soriano was invited to the Senate probe on her alleged link to illegal drug activities.
Some said the senator should lead the probe that supposedly linked Soriano and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to illegal drugs.
However, the senator explained that he only invited the actress to the hearing in connection with a condominium unit in Makati City which was said to be the subject of casing operations by PDEA agents in March 2012.
Dela Rosa claimed that he was already satisfied with Soriano’s evidence and that her admission supports the accuracy of the PDEA findings.
