By Gabriel Kim Leal
(April 11, 2025) – Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque could be held liable for cyberlibel if it gets proven that he was behind the spread of a fake video implying Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. uses drugs, a lawmaker said on Friday.
This came after vlogger Pebbles Cunanan testified in a hearing of the tri-committee in the House of Representatives and identified Roque as the mastermind behind the so-called “polvoron video,” which was digitally manipulated.
Batangas Rep. Jinky Luistro said it’s clear that it was an act of cyberlibel.
“Through the use of internet, he’s (Roque) trying to make it appear that the president is using cocaine when through the testimony of Pebbles Cunanan, the DOJ (Department of Justice), and other government agencies, they certified na ito ay fake,” said Luistro.
Cunanan, in her sworn affidavit submitted to the tri-committee, said she was present at a private dinner in Hong Kong where Roque bragged about being skilled at overthrowing governments.
The deepfake video began circulating a day before Marcos delivered his third State of the Nation Address in July.
In a live video on Facebook, Roque denied Cunanan’s claims. He even added that Cunan’s sworn affidavit could bolster his asylum application in the Netherlands, citing political persecution.
Luistro, however, pushed back.
“Kung may ebidensya, how can you say that that is persecution as distinguished from prosecution? When there is no evidence, yes, he may call it persecution. But as far as we are concerned, there is evidence. There is basis,” added Luistro, who’s also a lawyer.
She added that Roque’s denial doesn’t excuse him from cyberlibel if he knowingly shared false information.
Roque has refused to return to the Philippines after a contempt order was issued against him by the quad committee of the House of Representatives for not submitting documents about his unexplained wealth.
He’s also facing a human trafficking complaint before the Department of Justice in connection with his links to Lucky Star 99 Corp., a Philippine offshore gaming operator in Porac, Pampanga.
(With reports from Marianne Enriquez, News5)
(PM)
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