Image capture from ABS-CBN’s YouTube video - Senator finally spoke up on viral video accusing her of singing for jailed drug lord
- She said Herbert Colangco lookalike was actually Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas
- She also said the event was her birthday party and took place at the DOJ quadrangle
- Vargas confirmed it was him, not Colangco who sat beside De Lima
MANILA, Philippines – Not Colangco, but a congressman.
Finally speaking up on the viral video accusing her of singing for jailed drug lord Herbert Colangco at his birthday party, Sen. Leila De Lima clarified that the event was actually her birthday party and that the Colangco lookalike seen in the video was actually Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas.
“That video was actually taken during my birthday at the DOJ quadrangle last Aug. 27, 2015,” she told GMA News. “What was claimed to be Colangco was really Cong. Alfred Vargas, who was one of the guests.”
The video, which has since become viral on social media, claimed the man wearing shades and sitting beside De Lima was Colangco. It also claimed De Lima was singing for the drug lord for his birthday party.
However, Vargas himself confirmed he was indeed the man in question. Corroborating De Lima, he explained he wore shades at the time because he was suffering from sore eyes.
“I had sore eyes that time so I had to wear sunglasses and could not properly shake hands with everybody,” he said. “I hope this statement clarifies matters to all parties concerned and brings us closer to the truth.”
While the original video can be traced to an ABS-CBN article documenting De Lima’s birthday with singer Imelda Papin as the guest, it has been used as fodder in denouncing the senator for her perceived failures as justice secretary.
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