Bato on call to apologize for PDEA leaks probe: What sin have I done?

PROBE ON PDEA LEAK ISSUE CONTINUES: Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, in this file photo taken on May 7, 2024, continues the motu proprio public hearing and investigation into the alleged Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) leak issueSenate PRIB file photo / Bibo Nueva España

MANILA, Philippines — Amid calls for him to issue a public apology for conducting investigation into the alleged leaked drug documents, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa couldn’t help but wonder: What sin have I done?

The documents pertain to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) Authority to Operate and a Pre-Operation Report dated March 11, 2012.

These papers allegedly link President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and other personalities to illegal drug use.

“What sin have I done in order for me to seek an apology? Please tell me, anong kasalanan ko para ako manghingi ng apology? Kasalanan ko ba kung nailagay ang pangalan niya doon sa report na yun? Is that my fault?,” dela Rosa asked in a press conference on Tuesday.

(What sin have I done for me to seek an apology? Please tell me, what sin have I done for me to ask for an apology? Is it my fault that his name was included in that report? Is that my fault?)

Dela Rosa’s remarks came after House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun urged Dela Rosa to issue a public apology to the President “if the investigation fails to substantiate its claims.”

Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez, on the other hand, noted the supposed “inconsistencies” in the remarks of dismissed PDEA agent Jonathan Morales, raising doubts about the credibility of dela Rosa’s “lone witness.”

For his part, dela Rosa said his sins would be greater if he had allowed acts such as this to go unnoticed.

“I don’t see any offense. Bahala na, kung sila tingin nila may kasalanan ako then sorry kung may kasalanan ako. Pero for me, to seek for an apology — to ask for an apology — to give my apology, wala naman siguro akong nagawang kasalanan,” said dela Rosa.

(I don’t see any offense. It’s up to them. If they think that I am at fault, then I am sorry. But for me, to seek an apology—to ask for an apology—to give my apology, I don’t think I did something wrong.)

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

Earlier, dela Rosa admitted that he is convinced that the “leaked” documents are not fabricated.

Before the senator’s remarks, PDEA already debunked what it called “fake” operational documents, saying that it “ran a check through its Plans and Operations Reports Management Information System and found that no such operation was logged” on March 11, 2012.