INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Those who will be proven to have leaked the alleged Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) documents related to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s purported involvement in illegal drugs may face sanctions from authorities.
During the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs on Tuesday, Civil Service Commission Director IV Atty. Alma Flores-Foronda warned that imprisonment of not more than 10 years awaits those who will be proven to have divulged such confidential information.
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“‘Yung divulging of confidential information is being penalized by two laws. We have Republic Act 6713, under Section 7, ito ‘yung code of conduct and ethical standards for government officials and employees and also under the anti-graft and corrupt practices act, Section 3,” Foronda explained.
(The divulging of confidential information is being penalized by two laws. We have Republic Act 6713, under Section 7, which is the code of conduct and ethical standards for government officials and employees, and also under the anti-graft and corrupt practices act, Section 3.)
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who heads the committee, also stressed that such kinds of documents, if proven authentic, are “sacred” for the authorities.
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“Kung sino man yang tao na yan na nag-leak nito, napakalaking kasalanan ‘yan. Kasi, this is for us in the law enforcement at tsaka sa military. Sagradong mga papel ito,” he said.
(Whoever that person is who leaked it, that’s a huge sin. Because this is for us in the law enforcement and also in the military. These are sacred papers.)
The committee is investigating the alleged leaked PDEA documents linking Marcos, and actress Maricel Soriano, to illegal drugs.
During the hearing, former PDEA investigation agent Jonathan Morales stood firm that the leaked documents involving Marcos and Soriano in illegal drugs were authentic.
He was the signatory to the said documents.
However, PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo reiterated that they were fake.
A second hearing is set for May 7, where Dela Rosa also invited vlogger Maharlika to explain her involvement in the online circulation of the documents.