MANILA – Jonathan Morales, a former agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), was convicted of perjury by the City of San Fernando Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 4. The conviction was based on his false testimony involving two individuals in a drug-related case.
In the court’s decision dated August 7, 2024, Morales was sentenced to four months in prison and fined P1,000.
The case originated from Morales’ testimony against Albert Co Chua and Aaron Tan, who were later acquitted by the City of San Fernando Regional Trial Court Branch 43.
Morales had testified under oath, alleging that Chua and Tan were involved in the sale, delivery, transportation, or distribution of illegal drugs.
In his defense, Morales claimed that he was coerced into testifying due to the fear of being dismissed or reassigned to a dangerous location.
“Here, we found no evidence to support the accused’s claim that he was forced and intimidated by Director Lyndon Aspacio to execute the affidavit and to testify in court based thereon,” stated Acting Presiding Judge Jason Alquiroz in the ruling.
Morales was previously known for his involvement in the so-called “PDEA leaks,” where he accused several high-profile individuals, including then-Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and actress Maricel Soriano, of using illegal drugs.
The court dismissed Morales’ allegations against his superior officer, noting that the officer was not present when Morales subscribed the affidavit before the prosecutor.
“Additionally, the fear of being transferred to dangerous assignments such as in Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi is rather speculative, if not discriminatory and unwarranted,” Judge Alquiroz added.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla commended the prosecution for securing Morales’ conviction, saying, “May this serve as a reminder to everyone that the court of law was founded by truth and justice where lies and falsehood have no place as it erodes the credibility of our government in dealing with its affairs.”