Maricel Soriano Faces Senate Hearing Over PDEA Leak: A Veteran Star Caught in a Storm of Allegations and Loyalty

Veteran actress Maricel Soriano, widely known as the “Diamond Star” of Philippine cinema, found herself thrust into the political spotlight after being summoned to a high-profile Senate hearing. The hearing, led by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, centered on the controversial leak of a supposed 2012 PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) pre-operation report — a document which allegedly named celebrities and even the sitting president in connection with illegal drug use.

But while the document itself remains under scrutiny for authenticity, the presence of Maricel Soriano at the Senate hearing drew intense public attention — not only for her unexpected involvement, but also because of her calm yet firm testimony.

“I Don’t Even Read Those Things”

“I don’t know anything about those documents,” Soriano told the Senate panel. “I only became aware of them when they were shown to me. I don’t even read those things.” Her words were direct, confident, and reflective of someone used to facing drama on screen — but not of this magnitude in real life.

Senators questioned her about her supposed involvement in drug-related activities at a unit in Rizal Tower, Rockwell, Makati City — the very place mentioned in the leaked document. Soriano confirmed she once owned the unit in question but clarified that she had already sold it by 2012, the same year the alleged pre-op report was dated.

A Confidential Informant Close to Home?

What added more intrigue to the hearing was the revelation that the alleged “confidential informant” cited in the report was someone reportedly close to Soriano — a certain “Ian.” According to Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Ian has since passed away. There was even speculation that he may have been one of Soriano’s “anak-anakan” — a Filipino term referring to someone considered like a godchild or close mentee.

The narrative painted was that of a well-known actress possibly being implicated because of her association with someone who had been feeding information to then-agent Jonathan Morales. But Soriano quickly dismissed any such insinuation. She expressed deep confusion as to why she was summoned at all, pointing out that none of the testimonies presented thus far had been able to verify Morales’ claims.

Questioning Morales’ Credibility

The former PDEA agent, Jonathan Morales, has been at the center of the controversy. He claimed that the document linking Soriano and President Marcos Jr. to drug use was authentic and that he had access to it during his tenure. However, the agency’s current officials pushed back, saying Morales had no authority or official designation at the time that would allow him access to such sensitive files.

Martin Francia, the acting head of PDEA’s Investigation Service, questioned Morales’ entire narrative. “He believes in things that he thinks are true, but he has no solid evidence to back them up,” Francia told the panel.

Maricel’s Poise Under Pressure

Despite the tension in the Senate hall, Soriano kept her composure, politely deferring some legal matters to her counsel while firmly defending her integrity. “Honestly, I’m not even clear why I’m here,” she said. “Why am I the one being questioned when nothing has been verified? Why wasn’t there a real investigation first before this became a Senate issue?”

Her appearance, while born from a serious and unfortunate allegation, served as a powerful image of calmness under fire. Unlike other public figures who have avoided hearings or refused to testify, Soriano showed up and stood her ground — a move praised widely on social media. Users drew comparisons between her attendance and that of controversial religious leader Apollo Quiboloy, who has repeatedly defied Senate subpoenas.

A Reminder of Celebrity Vulnerability

This episode underscores just how vulnerable even the most respected public figures can be to false accusations or political crossfire. Maricel Soriano, with decades of contributions to the entertainment industry, now finds herself forced to explain a supposed involvement based on a questionable document and a long-deceased associate.

While the Senate committee continues to dig deeper into the authenticity of the leaked documents and the credibility of Morales, one thing remains clear: Maricel Soriano did not shy away from the issue. She met it head-on, not as a celebrity seeking special treatment, but as a citizen demanding fairness.

As this case unfolds, the public awaits whether any true accountability will emerge — not just for the names mentioned in the alleged report, but for those who spread unverified and potentially damaging claims without proof. In the meantime, Maricel Soriano’s poise and willingness to testify may just become another defining moment in her long and storied legacy.