The Senate on Tuesday conducted an investigation into the so-called “PDEA leaks.”
The hearing presided by Senator Ronald Dela Rosa centered on two documents released by blogger Maharlika that detailed the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s operations against two individuals in 2012, including one “Bongbong Marcos.”
During the hearing, Dela Rosa asked PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo about the authenticity of the documents circulating on social media.
Lazo responded by stating that the said documents did not exist.
The signatory of the documents, former PDEA agent Jonathan Morales, claimed the documents were genuine and that he had created and signed them but denied being the source of Maharlika.
Dela Rosa pressed Morales to set the record straight, but the latter refused, stating that he wanted Maharlika to be sued since he is also affected by the leaked documents.
The senator expressed his concern about such sensitive documents being leaked and made public.
Officials from the National Privacy Commission echoed this concern by stating that those spreading such documents could face legal repercussions.
During the hearing, Alma Flores-Foronda, Director IV of the Civil Service Commission, cautioned that individuals proven to have disclosed confidential information could face imprisonment for up to 10 years.
Dela Rosa challenged Maharlika to attend the investigation on May 7.