De Lima rallies behind Trillanes amid 'Bikoy' exposé links

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has stood behind Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV against accusation that he conspired with the opposition to fan out the controversial "Ang Totoong Narcolist" videos purportedly used to topple the Duterte administration.

De Lima, the first prominent political prisoner under the current regime, criticized the Duterte government for embracing a double standard on the issue involving the so-called exposé propelled by Peter Joemel Advincula a.k.a Bikoy.

"Nakita na naman natin ang pagiging doble kara ng gobyerno ni Duterte. Noong nagsasalita si 'Bikoy' sa pagkakasangkot sa ilegal na droga ng pamilya ni Duterte, wala raw itong kredibilidad at hindi dapat paniwalaan," she said.

"Ngunit ngayong binaligtad na ang testimonya at idinawit na ang oposisyon, ginamit na nila ang sinasabi ni 'Bikoy' para lalong siraan at gipitin ang mga kritiko," she added.

Advincula, the hooded man in the "Ang Totoong Narcolist" videos, accused the President and his family, including presidential son Paolo Duterte, and closest aide and Senator-elect Christopher "Bong" Go, of having links to the illegal drug trade.

He later recanted his accusation and blamed Senators Trillanes, De Lima, Risa Hontiveros and the opposition of persuading him to lie and tag Mr. Duterte, his family members and allies to the continued proliferation of illegal drug trade in the country.

In his recent privilege speech at the Senate, Trillanes admitted he was approached by Advincula about the alleged drug links of the Duterte family sometime in 2018 but he rejected the latter as witness for failing their vetting process.

The President and his allies who previously called Advincula a scam who has purportedly conspired with opposition to oust Duterte, are now singing a different tune by giving credence to Advincula's recent claims while vilifying the opposition.

The lady Senator from Bicol lamented how the government is using Advincula's claims in politicking when it could have addressed the serious accusations made by Advincula in the controversial videos and probe his motive behind his shifting narratives.

"Walang pinagkaiba ang gobyernong ito ni Duterte kay 'Bikoy'. Napakagaling magsinungaling at paiba-iba ng sinasabi. Imbes na magtrabaho o sagutin ang mga kontrobersya, sila itong puro basurang matrix ang inaatupag para baligtarin ang isyu at malihis ang atensyon ng publiko,"" she said.

In her Dispatch from Crame No. 525, De Lima denied accusation that the united opposition is involved in producing and distributing the controversial "Ang Totoong Narcolist" videos, adding that she or anyone of her staff does not know Advincula.

She added that Advincula's inconsistent statements supported the theory that the Advincula is either a professional con artist being used by sinister forces against the opposition or is a criminal psychopath with a superb ability to concoct tales.