Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang said it was not surprised at the revelation that former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was supposedly behind the so-called “polvoron video” that targeted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In a Palace briefing on Thursday, April 10, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Roque had publicly encouraged the spread of what she called a manipulated video.
“Hindi na ito bago at buti na lamang may isang tao na dati nilang kaalyado na sinabi na si Atty. Harry Roque ang nagpakalat. Even before, nakita natin ito sa kanilang rally sa Vancouver, Canada,” Castro said.
[Translation: This is nothing new, and it’s a good thing that someone who used to be their ally confirmed that Atty. Harry Roque was the one who circulated it. Even before, we saw this in their rally in Vancouver, Canada.]
Asked about the president’s reaction, Castro said the chief executive is leaving the matter to investigative authorities.
“Ang NBI, ang DOJ na magsagawa ng pag-iimbestiga patungkol dito. At kung mayroon dapat na managot, kung napakita talaga ang liability ng kahit sino diyan na involve ay dapat lamang po sigurong masampahan ng kaso kung ito po ay makikita naman po ng DOJ at ng NBI,” she added.
[Translation: The National Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice will carry out the investigation. If anyone is found liable, then that person should be charged – if the DOJ and NBI find sufficient basis.]
Roque has denied involvement in the deepfake video, which showed a person resembling Marcos using illegal drugs. He dismissed the testimony of blogger Pebbles Cunanan during the House tri-committee hearing that named him as one of those behind the video.
In a statement issued Tuesday night, April 8, Roque said he was not surprised at Cunanan’s claims and called the proceedings “a show.”
“Opinyon at paniniwala ni Ms. Pebbles na ako ang orihinal na pinagmulan ng polvoron video at ako ang nagpakalat nito. Iba ang opinyon sa katotohanan. Walang saysay ang affidavit,” he said.
[Translation: It is Ms. Pebbles’ opinion that I am the source and the one who spread the polvoron video. An opinion is different from the truth. The affidavit has no value.]
Roque also denied Cunanan’s claim that he threatened to destabilize the government.
“Hindi rin totoo ang sinabi ni Ms. Pebbles na kaya kong magpabagsak ng gobyerno. Nasa kamay ng mamamayang Pilipino ang kapalaran ni PBBM, hindi sa isang Harry Roque,” he said.
[Translation: It’s not true that I said I could topple the government. The fate of President Bongbong Marcos lies in the hands of the Filipino people – not Harry Roque.]
Roque said he understands Cunanan’s withdrawn her support for former President Rodrigo Duterte as pro-Duterte vloggers are now the target of the administration.
He said the source of the “polvoron” video is someone close to the president and that the video has been circulating since 2022.
Roque said the House hearing had a “ready script.”
NewsWatch Plus correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report.
