PRRD insists matrices are ‘true’

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday insisted that the matrices released by Malacañang showing how the Liberal Party, the Magdalo group, and media outlets are conspiring to discredit him are “true”.

The plotters, who have been named in the matrices, have denied such allegation but Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo and the President himself have insisted that they have been verified.

“Totoo yung matrix, pati yung spectral analysis ng boses nila (The matrix is true, even the spectral analysis of their voices),” said Duterte in a chance media interview after casting his vote at the Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School in Davao City.

Duterte did not elaborate on the “voices” he was referring to.

He also said there were “communications” recorded that could validate the matrices but did not confirm or deny if they were obtained through wiretapping.

“Yes, wiretapping is against the law. Sino ang nag wire tap (Who wiretapped)? I really do not know,” Duterte said.

“Finished product na yan e (It’s already a finished product). Only if you use it in court, it cannot be accepted as evidence,” he added.

Earlier, Panelo claimed that VERA Files president Ellen Tordesillas’ activities revealed “a very active collaboration” between the groups of former Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, blogger Eduardo “Cocoy” Dayao, exiled communist rebel leader Jose Maria “Joma” Sison, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, website developer Rodel Jayme — the narrator in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos linking Duterte’s family and allies to the drug trade — Bong Banal, and other Liberal Party groups and supporters.

Last week, Duterte said he has no plans to file cases against personalities and groups conspiring to discredit his family, allies and his administration.

“I’m not interested to file cases,” said Duterte in a campaign rally in Bohol on May 8.