Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque facing the House Quad-Committee

MANILA, Philippines – Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque rebuked being behind the spread of the infamous “polvoron video” supposedly showing President Marcos Jr. snorting cocaine and dismissed the entire House probe as “scripted.” 

In a lengthy Facebook post, Roque slammed claims made by social media personality Vincent Cunanan, also known as “Pebbles,” in the fourth House Tri-Committee probe on fake news on Tuesday. 

Cunanan testified overhearing Roque talking about the ‘polvoron video” with other pro-Duterte social media personalities at a “private dinner” after the Maisug rally in Hong Kong last year. The purpose of the dinner, Cunanan said was to plan the spread of the deep fake video as to discredit the president. 

Deliberately, Cunanan said “Si Atty. Harry Roque ang nasa likod ng video na yan… Ang sabi po sa akin sakyan mo na lang.” 

Roque said he was not surprised at Cunanan’s appearance in the hearing given the supposed plight of Duterte-allied vloggers under the Marcos administration and “fully understands” the vlogger’s decision to “choose the more convenient path.” 

However Cunanan’s testimony, according to Roque, is “fraught with falsehoods and hearsays.” 

Point by point, Roque answered each claim. 

Roque debunked that ex-Marcos vlogger Maharlika was in Vancouver and that it wasn’t in Canada where the video first came out but in the US. 

He also denied Cunanan’s claim of overhearing Roque supposedly saying he can overthrow a government. 

“Nasa kamay ng mamamayang Pilipino ang kapalaran ni PBBM, hindi sa isang Harry Roque,” Roque said. 

Lastly, Roque stressed that Cunanan’s testimony was based on her opinion. 

“Pangatlo, 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. The affidavit does not mean anything,” Roque said. 

Roque claimed that the polvoron video has been a hot topic in Maralika’s vlog since 2022 and he could not have taken the video himself because he is not close to the president. 

“Hindi po ako malapit kay PBBM para pagkatiwalaan kumuha ng video. Kung ang bisyo niya diumano ay gumamit ng ipinagbabawal na gamot, food trip naman ang sa akin,” he said. 

“Isa lang ang sigurado: Ka-jamming ni Marcos Jr ang kumuha at source ng video at ang taong ito na malapit kay PBBM ay ibinigay ang video kay Maharlika,” he said. 

The former spokesperson also said that Maharlika released proof of paying for Cunanan’s Hong Kong trip. 

Roque yet again, slammed the Tri-Comm for supposedly relying heavily on testimonial evidence to authenticate the polvoron video. 

“Akala ko ba fake news peddlers ang vloggers?  Kailan pa naging forensic expert si Ms. Pebbles?” He said. 

Roque also hit Cunanan’s credibility for being a turncoat, shifting loyalty from Marcos to Duterte and back. 

“At sa isang blogger pa na kilala ng lahat na kain-suka — dating Marcos loyalist, isinuka at tinawag na diktador si Marcos Jr, pumunta sa Duterte camp, at ngayon nagbalik-loob sa mga Marcos,” Roque said. 

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