A whistle-blower has alleged that a video purporting to show Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr using illegal drugs was fabricated and spread online as part of a coordinated plot initiated at a Hong Kong restaurant, by allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte – including his former spokesman.
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Vicente “Pebbles” Cunanan, a political vlogger and social media influencer known for her ties to pro-Duterte online communities, testified before a congressional panel on Tuesday, alleging that former presidential spokesman Harry Roque played a key role in a scheme to undermine Marcos Jnr.
Cunanan claimed that Roque boasted of his ability to “bring down a government” during discussions about disseminating a doctored video intended to damage the president’s credibility.
Roque, identified by Cunanan in an affidavit submitted to the “Tri-Com” inquiry – a joint investigation by three congressional committees – denied the accusations to This Week in Asia on Wednesday.
Cunanan said the video – a manipulated clip supposedly showing Marcos Jnr sniffing cocaine – was first discussed during a July 2024 dinner in Hong Kong.
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The event at Yung Kee Restaurant in the city’s Central district was attended by 16 supporters of Duterte, including Roque, former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez, and ex-press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles. The gathering occurred after a “Maisug” prayer rally – a movement loosely affiliated with pro-Duterte causes.