Malacañang was unsurprised by recent revelations pointing to former Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque as the one allegedly responsible for spreading the so-called “polvoron video,” which appears to depict President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. using illegal substances.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro noted that the issue was no longer surprising, as Roque had previously directed their allies to spread the video at a rally in Vancouver, Canada.
"Even before nakita natin ito sa kanilang rally sa Vancouver, Canada. Siya mismo, si Atty. Harry Roque ang nag-utos pa sa ibang mga kaalyado nila na ipakalat at sinabi pa nga niya sigurado na ang Pangulo daw ang nasa video," said Castro.
Castro further stated that Roque, in earlier statements and interviews, acknowledged Maharlika’s role in the dissemination of the video and even expressed his gratitude toward her.
She also stated that the President is aware of the issue, as the video has already been investigated and was proven to have used face swap technology, based on fact-checking and deepfake analysis.
"Hindi po ito lingid sa kaalaman ng Palasyo dahil ang nais lamang ng Pangulo ay maipakita sa taumbayan na hindi totoo ang kanilang pinapakalat na video, at hindi totoo ang kanilang ibinibintang sa kaniya," she added.
AI experts from the Deepfakes Analysis Unit (DAU) reported that the video had been heavily altered to falsely depict the man in the footage as Marcos.
The Palace official added that the President has entrusted the matter to law enforcement authorities following the vlogger’s claim that Roque orchestrated the dissemination of the video.
During the House Tri-Committee hearing on Tuesday, vlogger Vicente Bencalo, also known as Pebbles Cunanan, came forward and revealed the information as part of the committee’s ongoing investigation into the spread of disinformation.
She then explained that the purpose of the video was to destabilize the Marcos administration.
According to Cunanan, the plan to release the 'polvoron' video was conceived during a private dinner in Hong Kong on July 7, 2024, following the Maisug rally. The meeting included other pro-Duterte vloggers and personalities.
Meanwhile, Roque has denied allegations that he was behind the video, stating that he had no close connections to anyone who could have witnessed the alleged cocaine use by Marcos.
