Liberal Party afraid of its own ghost, says Palace

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Friday denied that the Duterte administration is behind the allegations of a drug personality who implicated two Liberal Party stalwarts in the drug trade, saying the once-ruling party was just “afraid of its own ghost.”

Ricky Serenio—confessed bagman of the Berya drug cartel who was earlier arrested by police—named Sen. Franklin Drilon and former interior secretary Manuel Roxas II as protectors of notorious slain drug lord Melvin Odicta Sr.

Odicta reportedly controlled the narcotics trade in Iloilo City, according to Serenio in an affidavit he submitted to La Carlota City prosecutor’s office in Negros Occidental last October 18.

READ: Drug suspect tags Drilon, Roxas as protectors

“The admin has nothing to do with the testimony of a drug cartel bagman Mr. Ricky Serenio implicating Senator Franklin Drilon and former Secretary Mar Roxas to the illegal drug trade in the Visayas,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

On Thursday, LP condemned the latest accusations raised against its members as another administration attempt to demonize the party in the eyes of the public using unsubstantiated claims.

The administration, it added, has made it a habit to manufacture witnesses who have “questionable record and reputation” just like in the case of party member Sen. Leila de Lima, who is detained on charges relating to illegal drugs.

It also noted the statement of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II that the affidavit of Serenio could already be used as a complaint affidavit.

READ: LP: Drug links aim to demonize party

But the Palace did not take LP’s comment lightly as it slammed the former-ruling party for supposedly conducting “witch-hunt” probes during its supremacy.

“The Liberal Party is afraid of its own ghost after conducting several witch-hunt investigations against their perceived political enemies when they were in power,” Abella said.