Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa continues the motu proprio public hearing and investigation on the allegedly leaked documents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in aid of legislation to strengthen further government capability and protection in handling classified documents and information. On Monday, May 13, 2024, dela Rosa said he is not “legitimizing falsehood” with his ongoing PDEA leaks probe. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — The ongoing investigation of the allegedly leaked documents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is not “legitimizing falsehood,” according to Senator Ronaldo “Bato” Dela Rosa.
As chairman of the Senate committee on public order, dela Rosa is leading the probe into the supposedly leaked PDEA dossiers that link certain personalities to illegal drugs and allegedly contain an authority to operate and a pre-operation report issued on March 11, 2012, and signed by former PDEA agent Jonathan Morales.
“When you say that I’m legitimizing falsehood? I’d like to disagree that we’re not entertaining, but thank you for this reminder,” he said, reacting to Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s opening statement during Monday’s committee hearing.
“Kaya nga tayo nagkakaroon ng hearing, to hear everyone para pakinggan natin sila. Wala po tayong hidden agenda dito. It’s not for us to evaluate ‘yung mga sinasabi nila kung totoo o hindi,” he also said.
(That’s why we’re having this hearing, to hear from everyone and listen to them. We don’t have any hidden agenda here. It’s not for us to evaluate what they’re saying, whether it’s true or not.)
In his opening statement, Estrada underscored the importance of upholding the principles of truth, integrity, and fairness in legislative processes.
“Allowing the dissemination of false information and fabricated narratives not only undermines the credibility of our institutions but also jeopardizes the pursuit of genuine justice and accountability,” he said.
“We must prioritize evidence-based discourse and avoid providing a platform for those who manipulate the truth for personal gain or hidden agendas. By carefully distinguishing between fact and fiction and maintaining a commitment to truthfulness, we can ensure that our legislative hearings serve the best interests of the Filipino people,” he added.
READ: Zubiri to senators: Don’t turn probes into political circus, witch hunt
Estrada particularly called on dela Rosa’s committee “to uphold its duty to the Filipino people by exercising due diligence in verifying the veracity of information presented before it and by refraining from legitimizing falsehoods and fabricated stories.”
But dela Rosa clarified his stand on the testimonies of one of the resource persons in the committee’s hearings, former PDEA agent Morales.
“Meron siyang sinasabi na pinapaniwalaan ko, meron din siyang sinasabi na medyo alanganin ako. Just to set the record straight,” he said.
(He says things that I believe, but he also says things that I’m a bit unsure about. Just to set the record straight.)
The senator nevertheless assured his colleagues that he would not allow his committee to be used “for any hidden agenda, or any political or personal agenda.”
“Itataya ko ang buhay ko dito sa hearing na ito as far as objectivity and neutrality is concerned,” dela Rosa said.
(I will stake my life on this hearing as far as objectivity and neutrality are concerned.)
NOTE: The English translations in the article were AI-generated.