Garin urges Senate panel: Assess ‘PDEA leaks’ evidence first

Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin has urged the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs to pause and take steps back to assess the evidence gathered during hearings on the allegedly leaked Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) documents.

Garin on Tuesday stressed that since congressional hearings are funded by taxpayers’ money, the inquiry should answer specific questions — like what benefit it would bring to the country, or what laws may be amended afterwards.

READ: Solon asks Senate panel on PDEA leaks hearing: What law do you want to amend? 

The Senate panel headed by Senator Ronald dela Rosa has already conducted three hearings on the supposedly leaked PDEA documents, which linked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and actress Maricel Soriano to drug use.  Former PDEA agent Jonathan Morales insists on the authenticity of the document — a pre-operation report — but current officials say it was fabricated.

“That’s why when there are investigations, we should answer questions like where it is headed, what benefits it would bring to the country, and what laws would be crafted or amended to ensure the problem does not repeat. Apparently in the Senate investigation on PDEA leaks, what we are seeing is a confused narrative,” Garin said in a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa complex.

“I believe the best thing that can be done as a legislator is for the committee to go back maybe 3 or 4 steps backward, gather all the evidence, decipher whether these are true or not,” she added.

According to Garin, there is the danger of giving airtime to individuals who crave for it, never mind if what they are saying is true, which would place the public at a disadvantage.

“Because if you put alleged witnesses of whistleblowers in the limelight and give them (airtime) […] because there are individuals who really like it if there’s media attention.  Now when you put them in that situation and let them talk, sometimes others can tell the truth but others want to prove something, and that’s where it goes awry,” she explained.

“And at the end of the day, who is at the losing end here?  It’s the people who are confused.  Because it is human nature to be a little bit Marites (gossipy) eh, but at the end of the day, do those gossipers contribute to anything good?  Especially if these things are not true,” she added.

Several members of the House and the Senate have raised concerns over the hearing — with even Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri warning his colleagues not to turn investigations into a political circus or a witch hunt.

READ: Zubiri to senators: Don’t turn probes into political circus, witch hunt 

Last May 8, House Deputy Speaker David Suarez thanked Zubiri for his reminder, but asked why the hearing is still going on — despite PDEA debunking the document’s veracity.

READ: Suarez thanks Zubiri for reminder, but why PDEA leaks sill being heard? 

President Marcos last March 10 said he does not give importance to Morales’ testimonies, comparing the former anti-drug agent to a ‘jukebox’ — as the latter would sing whatever song is directed in exchange for money.

READ: Ex-PDEA agent Morales: A jukebox, will sing anything for money – Marcos 

Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman, meanwhile, appealed to her ‘friend’ dela Rosa to focus the Senate’s energies on more important matters.

According to Roman, she does not question the prerogative of the Senate to conduct investigations, but she also echoed concerns on the direction of the proceedings.

“We do not question the prerogative of the Senate if they want to conduct an investigative inquiry. But let us be reminded that this act, this investigation has a sole purpose of trying to improve legislation. So as my colleague said, what is the point? What is their real intention?” she asked.

“It seems that there is a lack of disrespect for our President, they insist that he uses illegal drugs when he tested negative.  Why are we forcing this issue?  So I call on my friend, Senator Bato dela Rosa, maybe you should focus your energy on more productive matters that really concern our citizens in the country,” she added.