MANILA, Philippines — The Liberal Party on Saturday decried anew the allegations linking two of its stalwarts to the narcotics trade, saying the accusation was a ploy by the Duterte administration to hide its “own horror stories.”
In a statement, LP said the government was trying to cover-up its shortcomings particularly in solving the country’s drug problem and tempering inflation by “diverting” public attention.
“The move to link several prominent Liberal Party members to illegal drugs is their attempt to cover their lack of governance, which requires hard work, facts, and truth,” the former ruling-party said in a statement.
“The Liberal Party has been their convenient excuse for their mistakes, unfulfilled campaign promises, and justification to move into a revolutionary government that will strengthen and rationalize the dictatorial ways of top public officials,” it added.
“They are crafting a laughable and outrageous work of fiction to divert the attention of the public from their own terrifying stories.”
Ricky Serenio—confessed bagman of the Berya drug cartel who was earlier arrested by police—recently named LP members 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
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.
READ: LP: Drug links aim to demonize party
Responding to the political party’s previous statement, Malacañang on Friday 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,” the Palace said.
“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,” it added.
READ: Liberal Party afraid of its own ghost, says Palace