Latest news with #pro-Duterte
Filipino Times
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Palace unfazed by claims linking Harry Roque to ‘polvoron video'
Malacañang expressed no surprise after reports emerged linking former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to the so-called 'polvoron video' that targets President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In a briefing, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro noted that Roque had openly encouraged the distribution of what she described as a manipulated video. Castro emphasized, 'This isn't new; it's fortunate that someone who used to be their ally has confirmed that Atty. Harry Roque circulated the video. We even observed this at their rally in Vancouver, Canada.' When questioned about President Marcos' reaction, Castro explained that the investigation is now in the hands of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). 'If evidence shows anyone is liable, that person will undoubtedly face charges,' she stated. Roque has denied any involvement in the deepfake video, which falsely portrayed President Marcos as using illegal drugs, and dismissed blogger Pebbles Cunanan's claims made during a House tri-committee hearing as mere opinion. In a statement released on April 8, he called the proceedings 'a show' and rejected the affidavit accusing him. He also refuted assertions that he ever threatened to destabilize the government, asserting, 'The fate of President Marcos' administration rests with the Filipino people, not with me.' Roque further suggested that Cunanan's withdrawal of support for former President Rodrigo Duterte may be linked to the current targeting of pro-Duterte vloggers by the administration. Additionally, Roque alleged that the real source of the 'polvoron video' is someone close to President Marcos, noting that the video has been circulating since 2022 and criticizing the House tri-committee for following a 'ready script.'
South China Morning Post
09-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Plot to bring down Marcos government made in Hong Kong restaurant, whistle-blower claims
A whistle-blower has alleged that a video purporting to show Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr using illegal drugs was fabricated and spread online as part of a coordinated plot initiated at a Hong Kong restaurant, by allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte – including his former spokesman. Advertisement Vicente 'Pebbles' Cunanan, a political vlogger and social media influencer known for her ties to pro-Duterte online communities, testified before a congressional panel on Tuesday, alleging that former presidential spokesman Harry Roque played a key role in a scheme to undermine Marcos Jnr. Cunanan claimed that Roque boasted of his ability to 'bring down a government' during discussions about disseminating a doctored video intended to damage the president's credibility. Roque, identified by Cunanan in an affidavit submitted to the 'Tri-Com' inquiry – a joint investigation by three congressional committees – denied the accusations to This Week in Asia on Wednesday. Cunanan said the video – a manipulated clip supposedly showing Marcos Jnr sniffing cocaine – was first discussed during a July 2024 dinner in Hong Kong. Advertisement The event at Yung Kee Restaurant in the city's Central district was attended by 16 supporters of Duterte, including Roque, former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez, and ex-press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles. The gathering occurred after a 'Maisug' prayer rally – a movement loosely affiliated with pro-Duterte causes.
South China Morning Post
09-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Plot to bring down Marcos government cooked in a Hong Kong restaurant, whistle-blower claims
A whistle-blower has alleged that a video purporting to show Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr using illegal drugs was fabricated and spread online as part of a coordinated plot initiated at a Hong Kong restaurant, by allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte – including his former spokesman. Advertisement Vicente 'Pebbles' Cunanan, a political vlogger and social media influencer known for her ties to pro-Duterte online communities, testified before a congressional panel on Tuesday, alleging that former presidential spokesman Harry Roque played a key role in a scheme to undermine Marcos Jnr. Cunanan claimed that Roque boasted of his ability to 'bring down a government' during discussions about disseminating a doctored video intended to damage the president's credibility. Roque, identified by Cunanan in an affidavit submitted to the 'Tri-Com' inquiry – a joint investigation by three congressional committees – denied the accusations to This Week in Asia on Wednesday. Cunanan said the video – a manipulated clip supposedly showing Marcos Jnr sniffing cocaine – was first discussed during a July 2024 dinner in Hong Kong. The event at Yung Kee Restaurant in the city's Central district was attended by 16 supporters of Duterte, including Roque, former Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez, and ex-press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles. The gathering occurred after a 'Maisug' prayer rally – a movement loosely affiliated with pro-Duterte causes. Advertisement She also submitted a photo of the dinner to the Philippine House of Representatives as evidence.
Filipino Times
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Qatar dismisses case vs 17 OFWs involved in illegal demonstration
Seventeen overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were earlier detained in Qatar for participating in an unauthorized political rally have been released, with all charges against them now dismissed. His Excellency Ahmed Saad Al-Homidi, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Philippines, confirmed the development during a meeting with President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. 'Sinabi ng Qatari Ambassador na pinalaya na ang 17 na inaresto sa Qatar at dinismiss na rin ang mga kaso laban sa kanila,' Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing. Earlier on April 3, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac announced that Qatari authorities had granted the provisional release of the OFWs who were arrested for joining a pro-Duterte gathering. 'Nakikita po natin kung gaano kabilis magtrabaho ang ating Pangulo. Kaya parang ito po ay taliwas sa bintang ng iba na walang nangyayari sa ating bansa,' said Castro. She added that the OFWs have the option to either continue working in Qatar or return home to the Philippines.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Families of Duterte drug war victims demand probe into online threats
Family members of people killed during former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte's bloody crackdown on drugs demanded an investigation Friday into what they say has been a flood of online threats since his arrest. Duterte was detained on March 11 and put on a plane to the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands the same day to face a charge of crimes against humanity tied to his drug war, in which thousands of mostly poor were killed. On Friday, the relatives of four of those slain and their lawyer, Kristina Conti, filed complaints asking the National Bureau of Investigation "to identify the names, addresses and IP addresses" of alleged Duterte supporters responsible for online threats and disinformation targeting them. Conti said her own social media pages had been bombarded with "hate speech, expletives and misogynistic remarks". "People might think that if the victims are gone, the case against Duterte will be dissolved too. So we are taking these threats seriously," she told reporters after filing the complaints, warning that online threats can escalate into physical harm. Sheerah Escudero, whose brother was found dead in 2017 with his head wrapped in packaging tape at the height of the bloody crackdown, was among the complainants. Escudero said people on social media had accused her of being a liar and a drug addict, with some even sending personal messages telling her she deserved to be killed and beheaded. "We are just calling for justice, but they are twisting our narratives and accusing us of spreading fake news," an emotional Escudero said. Following Duterte's arrest, AFP fact-checkers saw dozens of online posts by his supporters targeting the families of drug war victims, seeking to discredit their accounts of extrajudicial killings. In one Facebook post, a photo of a drug war widow holding a portrait of her late husband was altered to claim she was lying about her husband's death. Conti said they have identified specific pro-Duterte vloggers and pages as responsible for the disinformation that fueled the online attacks. She added the online harassment seemed systematic based on the dates and time stamps, but noted they have yet to determine if these were funded by the Duterte camp. "But definitely, the sentiments are pro-Duterte," Conti said. The complainants held a meeting with NBI officials who said they would assign an agent to look into their complaints. While no timeline for an investigation has been set, Conti said once the report is completed, they will study the possibility of filing libel or civil cases. pam/cwl/dhw
