MANILA, Philippines — The lawyer representing the remaining “maleta boys” said Friday he will prepare an affidavit disputing claims from four former bodyguards who recanted allegations against several government officials, saying they were pressured into signing their earlier statements.
Lawyer Levito Baligod said he met with Office of the Ombudsman investigators Friday to discuss how to strengthen the case and clarify the circumstances surrounding the four men’s recantations.
“I was invited so we could talk about how we could strengthen the case being considered by the Office of the Ombudsman,” Baligod told reporters in Filipino. “And second, they wanted to know what the circumstances were with the recantation of the four.”
The 18 men, who identified themselves as former bodyguards of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, previously claimed they delivered suitcases containing cash to Co, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Four later withdrew their allegations, saying they had been pressured to sign prepared affidavits during their appearance before Ombudsman investigators, according to a GMA News report.
Three of the four said they were warned they could face multiple charges if they refused to sign the documents.
Baligod said he would work with Ombudsman lawyers to prepare an affidavit from witnesses who observed the question-and-answer proceedings involving the four recanting witnesses.
He said the other members of the group would dispute the recanters’ claims that Ombudsman lawyers threatened them.
Baligod also alleged that the four men had faced psychological and financial pressure, although he did not provide details.
The Ombudsman is investigating allegations that Romualdez and Co engaged in “concerted and coordinated acts” to unlawfully amass about P56 billion in wealth from 2022 to 2025. Investigators said some of the alleged funds were delivered through suitcases by the bodyguards.
Baligod submitted a joint affidavit from the 18 men to the Ombudsman in February. Ombudsman officials later asked each witness to submit an individual affidavit, saying separate accounts would provide a clearer basis for evaluating their claims.
The Ombudsman obtained individual affidavits from eight of the 18 men. Three of the four who later recanted their allegations were among those eight. The fourth did not submit a separate affidavit.
