MORE people seemed to doubt the veracity of the supposed expose of Peter Joemel Advincula alias “Bikoy,” but the videos he came out with accusing President Duterte’s family of allegedly receiving drug money has remained controversial.
The President himself recently said that Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is behind the production of the “Ang Totoong Narco-list” videos along with the Magdalo Group and the opposition’s Otso Diretso senatorial slate.
Before Advincula confessed that he was Bikoy, the hooded figure in the controversial videos, Duterte claimed that Bikoy was supposedly a soldier allied with Trillanes. The senator denied any involvement.
Days before Advincula’s confession, Rodel Jayme admitted that he created the website that hosted the Ang Totoong Narco-list. After his arrest, he also revealed that a couple of Liberal Party (LP) supporters allegedly asked him to create the website. The party denied any involvement.
Meanwhile, Advincula denied having any links to any particular candidate, political party or the Otso Diretso. He also denied knowing Jayme or any personality tagged by Malacañang of having any participation in the alleged plot to topple the government.
The videos claimed the drug payoffs supposedly went into the bank accounts of the President’s son Paolo Duterte, his son-in-law Attorney Manases Carpio, and former Presidential Aide Christopher “Bong” Go.
Malacañang accused the Magdalo Group and the LP of conspiracy to disgrace Duterte and his family. If the President would be discredited, his candidates would naturally lose their credibility, and this would boost the standing of the Otso Diretso bets.
* * *
If Advincula was indeed talking nonsense and the controversial drug issue was all trash, then the President and his family should not worry.
Bong Go already made his move to debunk the issue when he showed his bare back to the public during a campaign sortie.
Maybe it’s time for the Presidential son and former Davao City vice mayor to do the same and finally put an end to the controversy.
I believe that most Filipinos are mature enough to weigh things up and realize if someone is trying to pull the wool over their eyes.
* * *
SHORT BURSTS. For comments or reactions, email [email protected] or tweet @Side_View. Read current and past issues of this column at http://www.tempo.com.ph/category/opinion/firing-line/
