Ex-ES Ochoa denies alleged interference in PDEA operation | ABS-CBN
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Ex-ES Ochoa denies alleged interference in PDEA operation
MANILA — Former Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa faced the Senate on Monday to shed light on the investigation into the so-called "PDEA leaks" controversy.
MANILA — Former Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa faced the Senate on Monday to shed light on the investigation into the so-called "PDEA leaks" controversy.
Ochoa missed two previous hearings of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.
Ochoa missed two previous hearings of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.
Ochoa was accused by ex-PDEA agent Jonathan Morales of allegedly suppressing a planned anti-illegal drugs operation against high-profile personalities that included actress Maricel Soriano and then-Sen. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
Morales cited his conversation with then PDEA deputy director general Carlos Gadapan.
Morales cited his conversation with then PDEA deputy director general Carlos Gadapan.
But, in the hearing, Ochoa denied knowing Gadapan and other information contained in the PDEA leaks documents.
But, in the hearing, Ochoa denied knowing Gadapan and other information contained in the PDEA leaks documents.
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"As I earlier mentioned, I don't even know him and I don't recall of any occasion that we have met or even talked, so I completely deny that I have made those instructions as alleged," Ochoa said.
"As I earlier mentioned, I don't even know him and I don't recall of any occasion that we have met or even talked, so I completely deny that I have made those instructions as alleged," Ochoa said.
However, Ochoa confirmed that he was, at some point, a partner in a law firm along with now First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos. However, he had to leave the firm when then-President Benigno Aquino III made him Executive Secretary.
However, Ochoa confirmed that he was, at some point, a partner in a law firm along with now First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos. However, he had to leave the firm when then-President Benigno Aquino III made him Executive Secretary.
Ochoa was excused from the hearing afterwards.
Ochoa was excused from the hearing afterwards.
STROKE
Businessman Manjin James Kumar, whom Morales also dragged into the controversy, missed attending the hearing in-person because he was hospitalized due to stroke.
Businessman Manjin James Kumar, whom Morales also dragged into the controversy, missed attending the hearing in-person because he was hospitalized due to stroke.
He eventually joined the hearing via Zoom, against doctor's advice.
He eventually joined the hearing via Zoom, against doctor's advice.
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"Gusto ko lang din matapos na ito kasi po di lang po ako nagsu-suffer pati pamilya ko po dahil dina-drag po yung pangalan ko sa bagay na wala akong alam at wala akong kinalaman. Na-stroke na ko at lahat dahil dito. Di na tama ito," Kumar said.
"Gusto ko lang din matapos na ito kasi po di lang po ako nagsu-suffer pati pamilya ko po dahil dina-drag po yung pangalan ko sa bagay na wala akong alam at wala akong kinalaman. Na-stroke na ko at lahat dahil dito. Di na tama ito," Kumar said.
(I just want this over because I am not the only one suffering, my family is affected because my name is being dragged into something I don't know about and have nothing to do with. I have had a stroke because of this. This is not right.)
(I just want this over because I am not the only one suffering, my family is affected because my name is being dragged into something I don't know about and have nothing to do with. I have had a stroke because of this. This is not right.)
Panel chair Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa cut Kumar's testimony after his lawyer told the panel that it was against doctor's advice.
Panel chair Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa cut Kumar's testimony after his lawyer told the panel that it was against doctor's advice.
"This committee assumed a while ago that he was under doctor's advice to go online attendance to this hearing but unfortunately ngayon mo lang sinabi na wala palang advice ang doctor kaya as chairman I have to rule not to continue with the questioning of James Kumar because of his condition," Dela Rosa said.
"This committee assumed a while ago that he was under doctor's advice to go online attendance to this hearing but unfortunately ngayon mo lang sinabi na wala palang advice ang doctor kaya as chairman I have to rule not to continue with the questioning of James Kumar because of his condition," Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa had been prepared to wrap the hearing up if Kumar attended.
Dela Rosa had been prepared to wrap the hearing up if Kumar attended.
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