Veteran Actress Maricel Soriano Denies Involvement in Illegal Drugs
Veteran actress Maricel Soriano has recently denied allegations linking her to illegal drug activities. The allegations surfaced after leaked documents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) named her and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as users. Soriano addressed these allegations during her testimony before the Senate Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs.
Soriano stated that she was unaware of the reasons behind her invitation to the hearing and had only seen the documents when they were presented to her. However, she did admit to owning a condominium unit, specifically Unit 46C in Rizal Tower in Rockwell, Makati City, which was mentioned in the reports as a site of drug-related activities. Soriano clarified that she had sold the unit in 2012.
In 2011, two former household workers filed a complaint against Soriano, accusing her of severe physical injury. They claimed to have fled from the condominium unit due to her alleged cocaine use. Soriano vehemently denied these charges, stating that the workers left because they had stolen from her. She emphasized that she did not beat them, questioning how she could have done so when there were two of them.
President Marcos, on the other hand, dismissed the drug use allegations with a laugh. Meanwhile, PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo deemed the leaked documents as fake and questioned the credibility of the former agent, Jonathan Morales, who signed the report. Lazo highlighted that Morales had failed to disclose his dismissal from the Philippine National Police when applying to the PDEA.
Senate Committee Investigates the Leaked Documents
Despite the dismissal of the documents by PDEA Director General Lazo, Senator Ronald de la Rosa, who heads the illegal drugs panel, expressed his conviction that the leaked documents were legitimate. The Senate Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs resumed its investigation of the leaked documents on Tuesday.
During the hearing, Morales, the former agent who signed the report, admitted that he could not recall the identity of the informant behind the reports. This drew criticism from Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who accused Morales of tarnishing the reputations of prominent personalities, including the president and the famous actress, without sufficient evidence.
Senator Estrada emphasized that the purpose of the hearing was to uncover the truth. He also highlighted the illegality of disclosing and improperly using confidential information, as stipulated by existing laws. Before applying the law, Estrada stressed the need to establish the authenticity of the documents and determine who was responsible for their disclosure, regardless of whether they were genuine or fabricated.
Estrada expressed his hope that the investigation would shed light on the events, identify any potential illegal acts, and hold those responsible accountable. Senator de la Rosa, an ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who has accused President Marcos of being a drug addict, scheduled the next hearing for the following week.
Contextualizing the Situation for an International Audience
It is important to provide context for an international audience regarding the legal framework and customs in the Philippines. The allegations against Maricel Soriano and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pertain to their involvement in illegal drug activities, which is a serious offense in the country.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is the government agency responsible for combating illegal drugs. The leaked documents, which named Soriano and Marcos as drug users, raised concerns and prompted an investigation by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs.
During the hearing, Soriano denied the allegations but admitted to owning a condominium unit that was mentioned in the reports as a location associated with drug-related activities. However, she clarified that she had sold the unit in 2012.
The credibility of the leaked documents was called into question by PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo. He dismissed the documents as fake and raised doubts about the reliability of the former agent, Jonathan Morales, who signed the report. Morales faced criticism for not being able to recall the identity of the informant behind the reports.
Senator Ronald de la Rosa, who leads the illegal drugs panel, expressed his belief in the legitimacy of the leaked documents. He emphasized the importance of establishing the authenticity of the documents and identifying those responsible for their disclosure, regardless of whether they were genuine or fabricated.
The investigation aims to uncover the truth and hold accountable any individuals involved in illegal acts. It is essential to respect the legal process and ensure that all parties have the opportunity to present their side of the story.
Given the sensitivity of the topic and the potential impact on the reputations of those involved, it is crucial to approach the issue with caution and allow for a fair and thorough investigation to take place.
Source: The Manila Times