By Azer Parrocha
MANILA -- Malacañang scoffed at personalities tagged in the
expanded plot to discredit President Rodrigo Duterte for denying the
allegation, stressing that they were all praises for the controversial “Ang
Totoong Narcolist” videos, which linked the Chief Executive’s family and allies
to the illegal drug trade.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this remark after
claiming that members of the Liberal Party, Magdalo group, media outlets, and
other LP supporters in the “Oust Duterte” matrix were conspiring to tarnish the
President’s reputation and boost their candidates’ chances of winning a seat in
the midterm polls.
“Some personalities linked with the Oust Duterte Matrix issued
poker-faced denials, which naturally are expected of them. Yet one begins to wonder
why they were all praises for the Bikoy videos, with some even anticipating the
online release of the same as if they already knew of their existence,” said
Panelo in a statement on Wednesday night.
Panelo earlier alleged that Peter Joemel Advincula, a man claiming to
be 'Bikoy' in the videos, was only being used as a “pawn” by the plotters named
in the matrices.
He defended anew the release of the matrices, noting that Filipinos
have the right to be informed on matters of public concern.
Panelo also clarified that the Palace always welcomed “constructive
dissent”, but will draw the line when dissenters start to violate the
Constitution.
“In a democracy, constructive dissent makes it vibrant and this
Administration welcomes its exercise. When it however crosses the line of acts
falling as crimes under the Revised Penal Code, then the dissenters become
transgressors of law and the constituted authorities are duty bound to enforce
the law and cause their prosecution,” Panelo said.
Panelo, however, said the Palace will leave it to the Department of
Justice (DOJ) to prosecute the people, who appear to have violated the law.
“Due process is given, its observance is unequivocal as it is
mandatory, as demanded by the Constitution and as meticulously and strictly
observed by this Administration. It is in the legal arena that the rules on
evidence will hold sway. The parties will be given their day in court,” Panelo
said.
Panelo, meanwhile, described calls for a probe on those tagged by
Advincula to the illegal drug trade as a waste of time and money.
“The government’s time and taxpayers' money cannot be wasted on an
inquiry against those Bikoy maliciously named, including the President’s
teenage daughter, Kitty,” Panelo said.
Earlier, the DOJ urged Bikoy to file a complaint against the
personalities he identified in the videos, including those related to the
President.
Panelo said that should Advincula file a complaint, the investigating
prosecutor will have to conduct the required preliminary investigation to determine
probable cause. (PNA)
