Senators cite ex-PDEA agent Morales for contempt, order his detention

HEARING ON ALLEGED LEAKED DOCUMENTS: Former agent of the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Jonathan Morales attends the continuation of the investigation conducted by the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Monday, May 13, 2024, on the alleged leak of PDEA documents. During the second hearing held last May 7, Morales claimed several individuals attempted to block his participation in the hearing. (File photo from Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Senators cited former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Jonathan Morales for contempt and ordered his detention for “continuously lying” before the chamber.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada made the motion on Monday after he supposedly caught Morales in a web of lies.

Estrada initially asked Morales why he answered “no” in a personal data sheet (PDS) he submitted to PDEA, when he was asked if he had been found guilty in any case.

“Why did you misrepresent yourself and you answered no?,” an irked Estrada asked, to which Morales answered: “This is not the official document submitted to PDEA.”

READ: Former PDEA chief: Ex-agent Morales known as ‘STL or storytelling liar’

Later into the hearing, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa—chair of the public order and dangerous drugs panel—joined Estrada’s prodding. He specifically asked Morales why he cannot categorically state why he “misrepresented” himself on the PDS document submitted to PDEA.

Morales proceeded to reason out, which fueled Estrada’s annoyance.

“This person is a liar. I asked earlier if this is his signature and he answered in the affirmative. I also asked if this was his handwriting and he said he can no longer remember. When I presented the PDS to him, he said he’s studying it, but he admitted that it was, in fact, his handwriting. Now, he is denying that he answered this one particular question. Then who else would’ve answered no? A ghost?,” Estrada asked.

Not long after, Estrada made the motion to cite Morales for contempt for “continuously lying.” Dela Rosa, on the other hand, accepted Estrada’s motion.

Morales was an alleged signatory to “leaked” PDEA documents supposedly linking President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.  to illegal drug use.

The documents in question pertain to PDEA’s authority to operate and a pre-operation report dated March 11, 2012.