Atty. Harry Roque at the Department of Justice in Manila on September 7, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA— National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago confirmed on Tuesday that multiple charges have been filed against vlogger Claire Contreras, known online as "Maharlika," and former presidential spokesman Atty. Harry Roque.

According to documents obtained by ABS-CBN News, the NBI’s Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) initiated the case following the circulation of a controversial video that depicted a man, resembling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., allegedly snorting a white powdery substance.

“This video coincided with the President's 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA), raising suspicions of malicious timing and intent,” the document read.

The video was first posted on Facebook and later recirculated by a page managed by Contreras, and it gained significant attention.

It also noted that on July 21, 2024, a livestream by the Facebook page Pilipinas Nating Mahal aired the same video while the attendees, led by Atty. Harry Roque, sang "Bayan Ko."

The said video was shared multiple times across social media platforms.

Then, on March 13, 2025, Maharlika streamed a live broadcast where she openly admitted to releasing the video, which she referred to as the "polvoron" video.

During the stream, she mocked government critics, defended her actions, and stated that her intent was to raise public awareness and protest.

In a similar vein, Roque, broadcasting from abroad, also made public statements in livestreams encouraging Filipinos to share videos claiming to expose illegal actions by the President.

He hinted at efforts to mobilize opposition against the government.

Maharlika now faces charges of Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances, Inciting to Sedition, Cyber Libel, and Computer-Related Forgery, while Roque is charged with Inciting to Sedition.

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In a statement on his Facebook account, Roque said he welcomes the charges filed by the NBI.

"Bring it on! Mas maganda!" said Roque. 

"We see this as a good opportunity for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to once and for all personally disprove in the court of law the endless allegations of his cocaine use and addiction," he added.