LP decries drug allegations vs Roxas, Drilon

This came after Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II revealed that a drug personality in Iloilo, Ricky Serenio, tagged former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Senator Franklin Drilon as drug protectors. (Photo: Mar Roxas/Twitter)

MANILA — The Liberal Party (LP) on Thursday decried allegations that two of its members were drug protectors noting that it was an attempt to “demonize the party in the eyes of the public.”

“This latest drug allegation against prominent members of Partido Liberal clearly proves that this administration is going all-out to demonize the party in the eyes of the public and to divert attention from the pressing problems of the country, such as rising prices, extrajudicial killings, and corruption, including drug smuggling at the Bureau of Customs,” the party said in a statement.

This came after Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II revealed that a drug personality in Iloilo, Ricky Serenio, tagged former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Senator Franklin Drilon as drug protectors.

In his affidavit submitted to the La Carlota City prosecutor’s office in Negros Occidental last October 18, he claimed Roxas and Drilon were protectors of slain suspected drug dealer Melvin Odicta Sr.

LP said the party is being accused of being involved in the illegal drug trade “solely because of a baseless testimony of a so-called bagman of a drug syndicate.”

Moreover, the party pointed out that it seemed like the administration has the habit of manufacturing “witnesses” who have questionable record and reputation.

The party cited the case of Senator Leila de Lima who was detained due to testimonies of convicted criminals.

Meanwhile, the party cited how PHP1,000 was taken from the alleged PHP50-million bribe at the Bureau of Immigration involving Lex Talionis fraternity members so that the case would not be classified as plunder.

“There seem to be incidents of ‘dagdag-bawas’ of evidence at the Department of Justice. Adding evidence for those considered as foes, and subtraction for friends,” the LP said.

The party also urged the administration to make better use of its time investigating and finding the culprits behind the entry of PHP6.4 billion worth of shabu that has slipped past the Bureau of Customs instead of “wasting time” on the new controversy involving their members.