Drug probe resource persons cited for lying

CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE

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A Senate panel cited in contempt two of its resource persons for not telling the truth in the so-called Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) document leaks that allegedly link President Marcos and a veteran actress to illegal drugs.

At yesterday's Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs public hearing, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa cited in contempt former PDEA agent Jonathan Morales and former National Police Commission staff Eric Santiago for lying.

Dela Rosa, who chairs the panel, got irked after Santiago admitted he just fooled Morales and another resource person, Romeo Marquez, into believing there were efforts to silence Morales through businessman James Kumar.

Santiago said he deliberately gave fabricated information so he could be invited to the Senate as a resource person. He added that he did not intend to fool the Senate but only Morales and Marquez when he fabricated information during their phone conversations.

"Forgive me, I never expect that you will believe the lies I fed them," Santiago explained.

Dela Rosa ordered to have Santiago detained, adding that he has a concurring vote from Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

"With the chairman of this committee I will cite you in contempt for lying... hearing none, you are hereby cited in contempt," Dela Rosa said as he banged the gavel. "Take custody of this person. You will fool us." After the incident, Estrada also moved to cite Morales in contempt for being evasive in answering questions on his admission as a PDEA agent.