The National Bureau of Investigation has filed inciting to sedition complaints against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and vlogger Claire “Maharlika” Contreras in connection with the so-called “polvoron” video.
The NBI as early as July 2024 has said that forensic analysis showed that the man who appeared to be using drugs in the video was not President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Maharlika is also facing charges for unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances, cyber libel, and computer-related forgery.
On April 9, vlogger Vicente Bencalo “Pebbles” Cunanan linked Roque to the spread of the “polvoron” video.
In response, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said there was “nothing new” to the allegation.
On Facebook, Roque said he welcomed the complaint filed by the NBI.
“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,” Roque said.
“I reiterate: Ms. Pebbles Talakera’s affidavit and testimony during the House of Representatives TriComm hearing are fraught with falsehoods and hearsay,” he added.
Roque is seeking asylum in the Netherlands amid an arrest warrant issued against him by the House Quad Committee in connection with its probe into Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
GMA News Online is trying to reach Contreras for her comment and will publish it as soon as it is available.
The NBI also on Tuesday filed a complaint against Mary Joy dela Cerna Lacierda for allegedly creating a TikTok video using the statement of director Jaime Bautista.
In a document provided by the NBI, the viral TikTok video states “Bagong pananakot sa mga OFW,””Bakit sayo po ba ang PILIPINAS?” Bakit kayo ganyan sa mga nakakatulong sa ekonomiya ng bansa?” and “Uuwi kami kapag si VP Sara na ang presidente.”
(New threat to Overseas Filipino workers. Is the Philippines Yours? Why are doing this to those helping the country’s economy? We will go home if Vice President Sara Duterte is president.)
The complaint was filed for an alleged violation of Article 142, or the unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterance, and Article 142, or inciting sedition, of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The NBI said the video of Lacierda, also known as Mary Seville Yamato and Mary Joy Seville Yamato, “maliciously” cut a portion of Santiago’s statement and “misleadingly presented it in a manner that caused confusion.”
“It is true that NBI Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago stated: “Mga nandito sa Pilipinas, aarestuhin namin. Yung mga nasa abroad, we will file a case. Hindi na sila makakauwi dito, hindi sila makadadalaw sa pamilya nila. Pagdating pa lang nila sa NAIA, aarestuhin na namin sila.” However, it is important to note that he was specifically referring to fake news vloggers based abroad, as mentioned earlier in his statement,” the complaint read.
(We will arrest those in the Philippines. Those who are abroad will face charges. They will not be able to return home, they will not be able to visit their families. As soon as they arrive at NAIA, we will arrest them.)
The NBI raised an alarm on the comments allegedly made in the video, which it said encouraged or provoked the public to commit unlawful or disruptive acts, such as withholding remittances.
GMA News Online is trying to get Lacierda’s comment and will publish it as soon as it is available. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF/NB, GMA Integrated News
