MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday that at least one alleged cash delivery involving suitcases, or “maleta,” may have taken place during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Speaking at a press conference, Remulla said a photo included in the joint affidavit submitted by the so-called “18 ex-Marines” appeared to have been taken during the time Lord Allan Velasco served as Speaker of the House.
“Supposedly, the joint affidavit of the 18 Marines pointed to a delivery to one of the congresspersons,” Remulla said. “But when we investigated that angle, it appears that this delivery was done during the time of Speaker Lord Velasco.”
Velasco served as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from October 2020 to June 2022, during Duterte’s presidency.
According to the affidavit, the 18 individuals—alleged bagmen of former Zaldy Co—claimed to have delivered about P805 billion in kickbacks from alleged anomalous flood-control projects to several recipients.
Their lawyer, Levito Baligod, also alleged that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was the mastermind behind the scheme, an accusation Malacañang Palace has strongly denied.
Remulla, however, said the images and claims presented so far may not accurately represent the events described.
“It’s not an entirely accurate depiction of even pictures. What you see here is really a manipulation of facts,” he said.
Ombudsman seeks individual affidavits
The Office of the Ombudsman of the Philippines has asked Baligod to submit separate affidavits from each of the 18 individuals.
Baligod earlier filed a request for the Ombudsman to investigate politicians allegedly linked to the scheme but submitted only a single joint affidavit signed by all 18 personalities.
Remulla said individual statements are needed to verify whether each claim is based on personal knowledge.
“We’re still looking for the individual affidavits based on personal knowledge of all of them. That is so important,” he said.
He added that investigators must determine who was actually present during specific alleged deliveries, noting that serious accusations require testimony from those who personally witnessed the events.