Sotto: Advincula earlier linked PNoy, Roxas, Ochoa, De Lima to drugs

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Wednesday Peter Joemel Advincula, who claimed to be the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” video narrator Bikoy, had linked former President Benigno Aquino III, former executive secretary Jojo Ochoa, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, and Senator Leila de Lima to illegal drugs.

Using a Powerpoint presentation, Sotto said Advincula first approached his office in 2016 and even submitted a sworn statement and supporting documents, including 19 pages of bank accounts.

He, however, refused to believe the accusations.

“Una, incredible ‘yung kwento e. I cannot imagine Noynoy (Aquino) going to the underground safehouse in Misibis with Ochoa, De Lima exchanging shabu and  money. Napakahirap paniwalaan,” he said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

He said the first thing he did was to check the bank account with HSBC, which told him that they do not have the same alphanumeric code stated in Advincula’s documents.

“Binigyan ako ng bank account na HSBC daw ang ginagamit. I did verify it before. Ang una kong ginawa tinanong ko sa HSBC kung meron silang account na ganu'n. Ang sinasabi sa HSBC Makati daw. Isang account lang ang binigay ko sa HSBC. Sabi, ni hindi ganyan ang numbering nila,” he said.

Sotto expressed hope that Advincula’s statement would be a lesson to those who will be approached by anyone who has something to say against other people.

“This is a very good lesson to the IBP [Integrated Bar of the Philippines]. Bago tanggapin you must vet first,” he said.

Similarities and differences

Sotto said the statements released by Advincula in 2016 and 2019 were somehow similar, differing only on some personalities involved.

He said his political officer, Hutch Altavas, whom he ordered to meet Advincula inside the NBP three years ago, was able to keep the documents given to them and allowed them to compare it with the so-called whistle-blower’s latest statements.

“Dito sa sinumpaang salaysay, nung nirereview namin ulit makikita n’yo ‘yung pagkahawig sa Bikoy series at saka doon sa statement niya in the IBP,” Sotto said.

He added that if in 2016 Advincula named Aquino, Ochoa, Roxas, and De Lima as those present during illegal drug transactions, their names were removed in the 2019 statement and replaced with presidential son Paolo Duterte, Veronica Salvador (alleged dummy account for Honeylet Salvador Avancena and her 15-year-old daughter), former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, and Maneses Carpio.

“The named personalities involved in the drug syndicate na makikitang matingkad ang  pagkalagay n’ya Aquino, Roxas, De Lima. Ilang beses pang binanggit niya sa bigayan ng pera nakaharap si President Aquino, si Secretary Roxas, nakaharap si Jojo Ochoa,” he said.

“Pagdating dito sa May 6, 2019, binabanggit niya sa statement niya sa IBP si Paolo Duterte na ang nasa Quadrangle Group daw,” Sotto added.

He also said the bank codes and bar codes supposedly assigned to personalities in 2016 were different in 2019. He added some bank and bar codes also seemed rehashed or just rearranged.

“On my part I did due diligence kaya nung 2016 hindi ko pinatulan ito. Medyo iniba-iba lang ang script at personality ngayon,” he said.

‘Bikoy’ surfaces

Advincula surfaced at the IBP office on Monday and said he is "Bikoy", the narrator of the "Ang Totoong Narcolist" videos which linked the First Family and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go to the illegal drug trade.

Incoming IBP president Attorney Domingo Cayosa on Wednesday said the institution should not be used to cater to one's political agenda.

Cayosa maintained that the IBP was unaware that Advincula will conduct a press conference at their office in Ortigas.

The IBP on Wednesday declined Advincula's request for free legal assistance. —KG/RSJ, GMA News