MANILA — Senator Ronald Dela Rosa claimed on Friday that former Iloilo City mayor Jed Mabilog’s testimony before the House of Representatives quadruple committee was part of a “demolition job.”
Mabilog, during his initial appearance at the quad comm on Thursday, disclosed that he had been pressured to accuse former Senators Franklin Drilon and Mar Roxas of being drug lords. He also revealed receiving threats to his and his family’s lives after former President Rodrigo Duterte labeled him a protector of the drug trade without presenting evidence.
Dela Rosa, who led Duterte’s controversial drug war as the former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), accused the House investigation of being a “fishing expedition.”
“Demolition job [itp] para masira kaming lahat at hihina si VP Sara [Duterte] sa 2028… Fishing expedition, paghahanap ng mga kasalanan ni Duterte at kanyang mga associates,” Dela Rosa said.
(“It’s a demolition job to discredit all of us and weaken VP Sara [Duterte] for 2028… It’s a fishing expedition looking for dirt on Duterte and his associates,” Dela Rosa said.)
The senator insisted there was no evidence linking Drilon or Roxas to illegal drugs.
“Wala akong info. At wala tayong basis na ipapaturo siya at saka hindi naman ugali natin ipapaturo bakit naman ganun? Ipapaturo ko ‘yung mga tao na matitino?” Dela Rosa remarked.
(I have no information. We don’t have any basis to accuse them. It’s not in our character to point fingers like that. Why would I accuse decent people?)
He further emphasized that Duterte never directed him to include anyone, even political rivals, in the drug watchlist.
Dela Rosa challenged Mabilog to reveal the general who allegedly informed him about the supposed plot against Drilon and Roxas.
He also recounted how he intended to meet with Mabilog at Camp Crame, but the former mayor canceled and left for the United States. Dela Rosa said he viewed Mabilog as a decent person and had wanted to help him clear his name.
“Sabi ko kung takot ka punta ka dito sa Crame at ako ang bahala sayo safe ka dito walang mangyayari sayo ‘pag andito ka. At kukumbinsihin ko si President Duterte na disente ka na tao, matino ka,” Dela Rosa recalled.
(I told him if you’re scared, come to Crame. I’ll ensure your safety here, and nothing will happen to you. I would convince President Duterte that you’re a decent person.)
According to Dela Rosa, Mabilog was included in the drugs watchlist because of his connection to a city hall employee who was often seen meeting with drug lord Melvin Odicta, who, along with his wife, was killed in 2016.
Meanwhile, House Quad Comm Lead Co-Chair Rep. Robert Ace Barbers dismissed claims that House Speaker Martin Romualdez was behind any demolition job targeting Vice President Sara Duterte, citing their potential rivalry in the 2028 presidential election.
“Walang demolition job ang quad comm. Ang mandato ng quad comm, imbestigahan ‘yung mga issue of national importance… Wala hong political d’yan,” Barbers clarified.
(There’s no demolition job from the quad comm. Our mandate is to investigate issues of national importance… There’s nothing political here.)
He added there were no direct testimonies or evidence implicating Vice President Sara Duterte.
The committee’s co-chairperson, Rep. Dan Fernandez, emphasized that the investigation would continue.
“The people deserve nothing but the truth and nothing less. Let the evidences lead us to wherever it takes us,” Fernandez said.
In response, the Philippine National Police said it would investigate Mabilog’s statements. PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo explained that this was the first time she had heard of Mabilog’s claims, and the PNP would reach out to his camp.
Fajardo further assured that the PNP would remain impartial and would verify all information.
“First time ko narinig itong mga revelation kahapon at makikipag-ugnayan ang PNP. Again lahat ng lumalabas na information ngayon are all subject for validation and verification,” she said.
(This is the first time I’ve heard of these revelations, and the PNP will coordinate. Again, all the information coming out will be subject to validation and verification.)