Brodett kin squeal: Richard used, peddled drugs early on

(Updated 9:10 p.m.) MANILA, Philippines - A cousin of one of the so-called “Alabang Boys" on Wednesday said Richard Brodett has been using drugs as early as his teenage years with his mother’s consent. At the resumption of the House of Representatives' hearing on the drug scandal, Anthony Brodett, Richard’s cousin, said he had decided to speak at the lawmakers because their family's name is being tarnished by the drug controversy. The so-called Alabang Boys are Richard Brodett, Joseph Tecson and Jorge Jordana Joseph. They were arrested in September by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) while allegedly peddling various kinds of drugs, including ecstasy. Allegations by PDEA officials that state prosecutors were bribed to drop the charges have prompted the House dangerous drugs committee to call an inquiry. Anthony appeared before the committee on Wednesday to dispute claims by Richard's parents that their son was not a drug user. "Ginagawa ko po ito ngayon, ang outcome nito, madedelikado kami. Di po kami mayaman. Di lahat ng Brodett mayaman. Prinsipyo na ito. Pagkatao na namin nakalagay dito. Kinabukasan ko at kinabukasan ng kapatid ko," Anthony said. ["I am doing this because the outcome of this controversy will have adverse affects on us. We are not rich. Not all Brodetts are rich. This is a matter of principle. Our dignity is on the line here, as well as my future and my sister's."] Anthony said he used to stay at the residence of Richard and would usually discover bottled illegal drugs scattered "all over the place, [including] marijuana." Drug user since 16 "Since 16 gumagamit na iyan. Ayoko ko po maging hipokrito. Tinuturuan niya din akong gumamit," Anthony said. ["He had been using drugs since he was 16. I don't want to be a hypocrite, but he also taught me how to use drugs."] He said Richard's portrayal in media was far from how he knew his cousin. "Early days itong kinukuwento ko, kasi lumalabas ngayon na masyado silang inosente.'Mabait itong [si Richard]' pero may record ho iyon sa LTO [Land Transportation Office] na gumamit [ng drugs]," Anthony said. He said his side of the Brodetts lived a simple and clean life, while Richard's side was the one involved in rampant drug use and peddling. Anthony also said that his cousin's illegal drug use had the blessings of his mother, adding "Pinaakyat pa ng nanay niya iyan sa Sagada para kumuha ng marijuana." ["His mother would even send him to Sagada to get marijuana."] "Nagbebenta po talaga si Richard Brodett. Yes, pusher. Mismong yung nanay alam po," Anthony also said. [Richard Brodett really sells drug. Yes, pusher. His own mother knows it."] In support of Anthony's statement, Richard's uncle Dave, a former basketball player and actor, said the drug mess has already been taking its toll on their reputation and on his job. "Ako naging basketball player, naging artista at wala akong ginamit at ngayon lang ako lumalabas sa media wala kayong nakikita sa akin," Dave said. "Ang tinuturuan ko ngayon… ang buhay ko ngayon… ako ay nagtuturo ng basketball at golf sa mga bata. Sinong kukuha sa akin?" he added. ["I was a basketball player and an actor, but I never used drugs. This is the only time I appeared before the media, and you cannot prove I am a drug user. I teach basketball and golf for a living. After the incident, who do you think would get my services?"] Dave also clarified that they did not feed information to the PDEA that led to the arrest of the three men in September 2008. Mother denies Richard's mother, Myra, denied that her son is a drug addict and a pusher. In a report aired over GMA News' 24 Oras, Mrs. Brodett said Richard is living a quiet life as a medicine student and is working in a private company. She also said Richard's co-accused are innocent of the drug charges slapped against them. "He [Richard] is innocent. None of these children have any criminal records at all. They have not been into any rehab," she said in an interview with GMA News' Kara David. Richard’s lawyer unfazed Likewise, Felisberto Verano Jr., the lawyer of Richard and Joseph Tecson, dismissed Dave and Anthony's statements, saying these have no legal implications on his clients as the case against them has already been dismissed. "It will not affect them because the case has already been dismissed," Verano said in a phone interview with GMANews.TV. Verano has repeatedly insisted during the hearing that the case was dismissed with state prosecutor John Resado's resolution recommending their release. Verano said Dave's family has long been feuding with the family of Richard, and this may have driven them to make the statements against Verano's client. As if a telenovela "Yung ginawa nila parang telenovela yun eh. Ginamit lang nila ito para siraan lang yung pamilya ni Butch," said Verano, referring to Richard's father Butch. ["What they did was like a telenovela. They just used the issue to ruin the reputation of Butch's family."] He added that the two families have been against each other for four or five years now. For his part, PDEA spokesperson Derrick Carreon said the anti-drug body would provide security for Dave, Anthony and Marissa, Dave's wife. "Definitely, we will undertake all security measures. Kami na po bahala. Basta usapan diyan [PDEA Director] General [Dionisio] Santiago has already committed," Carreon said, noting that the three left with PDEA personnel. Meanwhile, House Speaker Prospero Nograles, said authorities must focus on the source of the drugs, not just the users. "The important question is: Where do these drugs come from? We need to cut the supply and source rather than go to the addicts who are mentally sick and need rehabilitation. They may be the victims. Let's fight the source of the supply and the pushers and the middle men," Nograles said in a text message to reporters. - Johanna Camille Sisante, Sophia Dedace, Mark Merueñas, and Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV