MANILA – House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong on Thursday said former presidential spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque must be allowed to explain the allegations linking him to the so-called “polvoron" video. 

During the House Tri Committee’s fourth hearing, vlogger Pebbles Cunanan claimed Roque was the one allegedly behind the “polvoron” video purportedly showing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. using illegal drugs. 

Roque has denied the allegation while casting doubt on the credibility of Cunanan, who he said expressed her belief or opinion. 

When asked if he thinks Roque should be invited to the House panel hearings, Adiong responded in the affirmative since the claims of Cunanan are grave. 

“Well, I think so. I think we need to provide them the due process to explain himself. Kasi the allegation according to Ms. Pebbles Cunanan, if proven true, creating and spreading these deepfake videos, manufactured videos, distorted videos to not only cause and steer public outrage but to demean a sitting official,” Adiong said. 

TV PATROL: Harry Roque itinangging siya ang nasa likod ng 'polvoron video'

In her affidavit, Cunanan also said Roque supposedly claimed to be good at overthrowing governments, something which Adiong believes the lawyer must explain. 

"So I guess yung remarks niya according to Ms. Pebbles [Cunanan] that he is good at toppling government, I think he should be also, I presume that he would also be good at explaining himself before the public. Why he was made to appear that he is one of those who probably decide on how they can mislead the public by providing a fake videos, doctored videos in order to gain some political score,” Adiong said. 

“Nandoon ako sa position na dapat talaga siyang mag explain sa ating mga tao. He is a lawyer, he is an officer of the court. And all lawyers are obligated and expected to inform the public based on facts and truth,” he added. (11:25 am)

ROQUE’S ASYLUM BID 

Adiong doubts Roque’s claim that the Tri Comm hearing on Tuesday could be used as evidence in his asylum petition that he is experiencing political persecution. 

The former Palace official is in The Netherlands where he is seeking asylum. 

Vlogger: Harry Roque behind 'polvoron' video of Marcos Jr.

“I don’t think, well, that’s his defense. But I don’t think the messaging, I mean the information that the revelation of Ms. Pebbles [Cunanan] would add on to his defense no or his application for an asylum. Kasi unang-una, yung pagbibigay mo mismo sa kanya ng invitation is an indication that he's given that due process. So it is not for me a signal that this administration is really ganging up on him as what he is trying to portray online,” he said. 

 “The application for asylum rests very well, well much linked and connected with the charges filed against him on qualified human trafficking and also the contempt orders that was cited against him by the Quad Comm,” he added. 

 Roque is facing a contempt and detention order from the House Quad Committee and human trafficking complaints for his supposed links to illegal operations of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO).

 “Kung proven true talagang siya mismo, that revelation in itself … it could really condemn, for example legally ha, in the case of the petition or the asylum that he is applying for in the Netherlands. Kasi parte siya doon sa pag-destabilize ng isang gobyerno,” Adiong explained. 

 “I’m sure sa The Netherlands they would know how a legitimate case will differ from political persecution. Alam po nila yung legal, valid charges from political persecution,” he added. 

The lawmaker likewise dismissed Roque’s remark that the Tri Comm is “scripted” and a “show.” "You cannot blame for example the resource persons or those members of the committee who are prepared to ask their questions kasi we are expected to be prepared every time we come out and then we join the deliberation,” he said. 

Online petition, formal letter seek to block Roque bid for asylum in the Netherlands 

"At saka yung purpose of the Tri Comm really is kailangan ho natin mabigyang solusyon itong pag laganap at pag sugpo sa itong maling impormasyon… yung ginagawa po ng Tri Comm, hindi lang po legitimate na may concern talaga, na mayroon talagang problema when it comes to disinformation,” Adiong reiterated. 

The House leader said the moves of allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte show there seems to be a plan to discredit the current administration. “I would say, there was really indeed, probably kasi it is difficult not to connect this events from the testimony of Ms. Pebbles. Kasi sila mismo nakikita natin na meron talagang effort to lay down the predicate and lay down the premise that indeed the fake video, doctored video was authentic para ipapakita sa tao na gumagamit nga itong Presidente natin ng illegal na droga,” he added. 

Various government and law enforcement agencies earlier said the “polvoron” video is fake.