In a seemingly choreographed political drama, SMNI, the notorious pro-Duterte and pro-China network, amplified the intriguing post of a former official from the previous Duterte administration.
The post appears to generate more intrigue than serve justice concerning the “Polvoron” video implicating President Bongbong Marcos.
SMNI, in its recent post on X (formerly Twitter), shared a screenshot of Greco Belgica’s Facebook post, accompanied by the following statement: “Former PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica calls for action to release the ‘Polvoron’ video related to the president.”
Belgica, the former chairman of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission under Duterte, has appeared on multiple occasions as a source and political pundit for SMNI, now regarded as the official opposition media network of the Duterte camp.
For ordinary Filipino netizens, SMNI’s X post may seem innocent, but political enthusiasts note the timing – posted 30 minutes after Belgica’s Facebook post.
In his Facebook post, Belgica urged action: “People trying to bismirch and destroy the name of the President should be brought to court. If the accusers will not produce the ‘POLVORON’ video they are talking about they should be punished.”
The “Polvoron video,” a term popular among Duterte supporters and anti-Marcos critics, creatively alludes to Marcos’s alleged illegal drug issues.
Belgica added more drama, stating, “If they release the video, then they will be heroes trying to save our country. If they can not produce the videos then they are rebels trying to destroy the country through intrigues and division, thus, should be exposed and crushed.”
The question arises: Is Belgica genuinely motivated by justice or amplifying potentially damaging anti-Marcos propaganda amid SMNI’s franchise violations investigation?
Pro-Duterte blogger and self-confessed former Marcos fanatic Maharlika Boldyakera often drums up the “Polvoron video” scandal, targeting not only the president but also First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
Maharlika, presently based in California, claimed in a recent YouTube upload that the “Polvoron” video, well-received among Duterte supporters, is allegedly being sold for P10 million.
The video gained over 135,000 views in less than 24 hours. Once again, when it comes to orchestrating political surprises and manufacturing a crisis, timing is everything.
The timing of Maharlika’s upload, combined with Belgica’s post and SMNI’s amplification, raised suspicions.
This clearly politically orchestrated smear tactic becomes more apparent with a clip of former President Duterte commenting on the “Polvoron video.”
In this now-viral clip, someone asked Duterte the following: “Vlogger Maharlika in social media, masyadong sikat ngayon yong sinabi niya. May video daw siya na si BBM eh nag-aano ng polvoron, yong issue ng polvoron. Ang nagbibigay daw eh si Justice Secretary [Crispin Remulla] at ang bumibili ay si First Lady. Pero this becomes an issue ngayon at kanina nagtanong si Harry Roque narinig ko. What if eto ay totoong may video? What would happen to the country?”
Duterte dismissed it, stating, “Well, I can see that every… Hindi lang leader dito, maraming mayor dito ang nagko-cocaine… Ah, there’s no such thing.”
And this brings us back to Belgica’s post, seemingly concerned about the president’s reputation when his former boss publicly denied the video’s existence.
Of course, the fact that Duterte is a political manipulator is a ‘No shit, Sherlock!’ moment. Even his supporters don’t believe he’s being honest when he said, “No such thing!”
So, we directly asked Belgica, but he chose to remain silent following our ‘friendly’ exchange.
Meanwhile, notorious pro-Duterte vloggers, namely Sass Rogando Sasot, Darryl Yap, Banat By, denied any personal knowledge of the fabled “Polvoron video” and tried to distance themselves from Maharlika, who kept harping on the issue.
“I was asking Senator Imee [Marcos] nga eh. Sabi ko, ano Maharlika’s claiming this, claiming that… Meron bang video? And then Senator Imee is just looking at me and saying, ‘for the longest time tayo ang magkasama, I wouldn’t know,’ sabi niyang ganun. Sino, saan? Ganyan,” Yap said in a clip that’s now going viral.
For her part, Sasot simply said: “Ako wala akong idea…”
Now, is there actually a “Polvoron video” portraying the president and his inner circle engaging in illicit activities?
We posit that it’s either another episode reminiscent of the Leila De Lima scandal, or simply a baseless political bluff.
Alternatively, some individuals within the Duterte inner circle might possess evidence and are strategically awaiting the opportune moment to exploit it for their political advantage.
The timing of it all? Undeniably suspicious. It’s essential to note that not everyone opposing Marcos is pro-Duterte.
Indeed, this “Polvoron video” conspiracy theory shares striking similarities with the “Leila De Lima” scandal, purportedly orchestrated by Duterte trolls, which eventually proved to be a hoax.
Interestingly, only pro-Duterte individuals seem deeply invested in perpetuating this contrived scandal.
Regarding the former President Duterte’s outright dismissal of the video’s existence, all we can assert is – he’s a seasoned political manipulator.
Have you ever pondered why, out of the blue, the entire Duterte machinery – SMNI, Harry Roque, Maharlika, Greco Belgica, and the rest of the gang – is now fixated on “Polvoron”?
Prepare your popcorn; it appears we’re in for more political surprises…
The Daily Netizen 
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