Former presidential spokesperson lawyer Harry Roque. | Senate Public Relations and Data Bureau
MANILA – The Nationwide Bureau of Investigation has filed inciting to sedition costs earlier than the Division of Justice (DOJ) in opposition to former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and vlogger Claire Contreras, generally known as Maharlika.
In a transmittal letter addressed to Prosecutor Common Richard Anthony Fadullon dated April 14, NBI Director Jaime Santiago stated the NBI-Cybercrime Division initiated a case in opposition to the 2 following the web circulation of a video suggesting {that a} man resembling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was snorting a white powdery substance.
“This video coincided with the President’s 2024 State of the Nation Deal with (SONA), elevating suspicions of malicious timing and intent,” Santiago stated.
READ: Explainer: Harry Roque’s asylum bid and why many oppose it
Apart from the sedition costs, Contreras was additionally charged with one depend of Illegal Use of Technique of Publication and Illegal Utterances beneath Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to Part 6 of R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012); one depend of Cyber Libel beneath Part 4(c)(4) of R.A. 10175, in relation to Articles 353 and 355 of the Revised Penal Code; and one depend of Pc-Associated Forgery beneath Part 4(b)(1) of R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).
The video was first posted on Fb and later recirculated by a web page managed by Contreras which gained important consideration.
“By way of open-source digital investigation, supported by video forensics and authenticated proof, the NBI traced its propagation, linked its content material to inciting language throughout rallies and livestreams, and assessed public admissions of possession and intent by the concerned events,” Santiago stated.
Rally in Vancouver
On July 21, 2024, the video was proven throughout a rally in Vancouver, Canada that was livestreamed by the Fb web page Pilipinas Nating Mahal.
Throughout the rally, Roque urged the viewers to organize for the “world premiere” of the video from Boldyakera (Maharlika), which he stated could be taken down by platforms like Fb and YouTube. He incited them to share and disseminate it throughout platforms comparable to TikTok, X (previously Twitter), and Rumble.
A second livestream by Channel 167 in Los Angeles on July 22, 2024 featured each Maharlika and Roque. Throughout the occasion, Roque declared that “tonight, the rumors will finish” and referred to as on the viewers to be prepared to guage and act if the President was proven to be “bangag” (excessive).
“The video’s timing — coinciding with the President’s SONA suggests premeditated coordination. Its content material and propagation via main social media platforms display intent to discredit the President, incite public outrage, and undermine the credibility and stability of the administration,” the NBI stated.
The NBI additionally cited a number of cases whereby Roque and Contreras made repeated requires public resistance and direct motion in opposition to the administration.
“Maharlika printed tampered and deceptive movies falsely accusing the President and different high-ranking officers of great crimes. Equally, Atty. Roque made public statements in livestreams broadcast from overseas, encouraging Filipinos to unfold movies that allegedly expose unlawful acts by the President and hinting at mobilization in opposition to the federal government,” Santiago stated.
Crackdown vs. faux information peddlers
In the meantime, the NBI additionally filed costs in opposition to Mary Pleasure dela Cerna Lacierda aka “Mary Seville Yamato,” lawyer Raul Lambino and Ronald Cardema for Illegal Use of Technique of Publication and Illegal Utterances beneath Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to Part 6 of R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).
The fees stemmed from statements they made final March 11 following the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
They claimed that Duterte was arrested and forcibly taken to The Hague in Netherlands to face costs earlier than the Worldwide Legal Court docket regardless of a supposed momentary restraining order (TRO) from the Supreme Court docket (SC).
On April 8, the Supreme Court docket directed lawyer Lambino to indicate trigger for spreading faux information in regards to the TRO.
“In a Fb Dwell broadcast on March 11, 2025, Lawyer. Lambino falsely claimed that the Supreme Court docket had issued a TRO in opposition to the arrest of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte. This misinformation triggered public confusion and misled the individuals in regards to the SC’s actions,” the courtroom stated.
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