MANILA - The Liberal Party (LP) on Friday denied its alleged involvement in the dissemination of videos of a certain "Bikoy," who accused the family of President Rodrigo Duterte of involvement in the illegal drug trade.

The allegation is another diversionary tactic of the administration, Liberal Party President and Otso Diretso senatorial slate campaign manager Sen. Francis Pangilinan said in a statement.

"Nililihis na naman ang usapan para hindi sila punahin sa mga kapalpakan at pagnanakaw na nangyayari sa ating likas-yaman at kabang-bayan," he said.

(They are again diverting the conversation so that they would not be criticized for their failures, the poaching of our natural resources and theft of public funds.)

He was referring to the poaching of the Philippines' marine resources in the West Philippine Sea, the country's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

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"Walang ebidensya (There is no evidence) linking the LP. Again, we will deny that we had anything to do with the video that was circulated with regard to Bikoy. I hope the NBI can come up with a stronger evidence than mere speculation," said Otso Diretso candidate Erin Tañada, who is also a long-time LP member.

Moro civic leader Samira Gutoc, the roster's lone female candidate, meanwhile said Jayme's arrest is part of a plan to discredit the opposition slate.

"Election time, character assassination time," she said.

One Rodel Jayme earlier told authorities he made the website that carried the "Bikoy" videos for fellow Liberal Party supporters. He was charged with inciting to sedition.

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- with a report from Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News