Marcos leaves ‘polvoron video’ probe up to NBI 鈥� Palace
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at a press briefing in Malacanang on Feb. 6, 2025. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will leave the probe into the “polvoron video” up to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Palace said on Thursday.
The video shows Marcos allegedly using illegal drugs. The issue resurfaced after a vlogger identified former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque as the one purportedly behind the release of the polvoron video. Roque has belied the allegation.
READ: Roque doubts vlogger after he gets tagged as ‘polvoron’ video source
At a briefing on Thursday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said authorities had already investigated the video, and it was proven to have used a deepfake face swap.
“We were able to speak with the president, and he said that we should just allow our law enforcement agencies—the NBI and the DOJ (Department of Justice)—to conduct the investigation regarding this matter,” Castro also said in Filipino when asked if Malacañang would file any legal action regarding the matter.
“And if there is anyone who should be held accountable or if liability is clearly shown for anyone involved, then it is only right that they be charged accordingly,” she added.
Castro also said she was not surprised that Roque’s name was dragged into the issue.
“Even before, we already saw this during their rallies in Vancouver, Canada. It was Atty. Harry Roque himself who ordered some of their allies to spread it, and he even said that he was sure it was the president in the video,” she said in Filipino.
Regarding calls for Marcos to undergo a hair follicle test to prove he is not using illegal drugs, Castro said prove Marcos is using drugs, not the other way around.
“If there are accusations, we will clarify them. If there are allegations against the President, it is the accuser who must provide proof of whether or not anything was used,” she said in Filipino.
“In any case, it is always the one making the accusation who must provide the evidence. You can’t just say, ‘You’re using something—prove that you’re not.’ That’s not the correct logic,” she added.
The “polvoron” video spread on social media in July 2024 before Marcos delivered his third State of the Nation Address.
