LANAO del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong on Thursday warned that the controversy involving former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and the so-called “polvoron video” could significantly weaken, rather than support, Roque’s asylum application in The Netherlands.
Roque earlier claimed in a Facebook livestream that the Tri-Comm House hearings, where he was implicated in the release of a deepfake video allegedly showing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. using illegal drugs, would help prove he was being politically persecuted.
But Adiong said the facts point in the opposite direction.
“Kung proving truth 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 said.
The controversy stems from the sworn affidavit of social media personality Vicente Bencalo “Pebbles” Cunanan, who claimed that Roque was the original source of the so-called “polvoron video” – a doctored clip allegedly showing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. using illegal drugs.
“Well, 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 would add on to his defense no or his application for an asylum,” Adiong said.
“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. In fact, the very purpose of that invitation is to provide him that due process that should be accorded and afforded to him as a citizen of this country,” he added.
In her affidavit, Cunanan said Roque discussed plans to release the video during a private dinner in Hong Kong in July 2024 with other known pro-Duterte figures. He also recalled Roque allegedly boasting, “Magaling ako magpabagsak ng gobyerno,” which Cunanan interpreted as part of a broader effort to destabilize the current administration.
Adiong said Roque, as a lawyer and officer of the court, knows very well that accountability is not optional.
“Sabi ko nga, he’s a lawyer, he knows better. Rather than continue on being or pretending to be a vlogger, he’s very well aware of his rights and he should face these charges before him.”
He pointed out that Roque’s asylum bid appears more connected to the legal issues he already faces.
“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.”
“By continuously refusing and frustrating the committee by withholding those documents that we requested him to provide and heeded and assured the committee that he would provide eventually but up to now hindi pa po niya nilalabas at binibigay sa ating komite,” Adiong said.
Roque also alleged that the Tri-Comm had prepared a scripted hearing. Adiong dismissed this, saying lawmakers and resource persons are expected to come prepared for serious discussions.
“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.”
“We are discussing here of a very serious matter that not only threatens this country but it’s a global problem no,” Adiong said, referring to disinformation.
“At tsaka yung purpose of the Tri-Comm really is kailangan ho natin mabigyang solusyon itong paglaganap at pagsugpo itong maling impormasyon,” he said.
Asked whether Roque should be summoned again by the Tri-Comm following Pebbles Cunanan’s testimony implicating him in the video’s release, Adiong said yes.
“I think so. I think we need to provide them the due process to explain himself,” Adiong said.
“Kasi the allegation according to Ms. Pebbles Cunanan, if proven true, creating and spreading these deepfake videos, manufactured videos, distorted videos… to demean a sitting official… borders the issue of national security,” Adiong said. “The office of the President is not only the head of the government but he is also at the same time the commander-in-chief.”
Adiong said Roque’s own words – according to Cunanan’s testimony – require a clear and public explanation.
“‘Yung remarks niya according to Ms. Pebbles 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,”
Adiong said.
“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,” Adiong added.
Adiong said that prior to the “polvoron video,” there were already signs of coordinated destabilization efforts allegedly by Roque’s camp.
“I think the group that is associated with, Atty. Roque associated with, has been laying down the premise na kino-connect nila itong si Presidente daw ay gumagamit ng illegal na droga,” he said.
“So I think that they were already that effort in laying down the premise so they can steer public outrage,” he said.
“This group is so desperate that they have to come out with a doctored video which to me it’s not only incendiary in nature but it is a cheap antic to the lowest level,” Adiong said.
“At hindi lang ito fake news but this is a dangerous lie,” Adiong said. “Imagine you are creating and hoping to generate unrest in our streets, generating a public outcry.”
Adiong linked the broader narrative to open attacks by known allies of Roque.
“In fact there was already a call by former President Duterte to withdraw the support of the PNP (Philippine National Police) and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” he said.
“So I would say, there was really indeed… 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,” Adiong said
