MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday that the recantation of four alleged former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co would not weaken the plunder complaint against former Speaker Martin Romualdez, as both sides disputed the credibility and significance of the retractions.
The four men, known as the “maleta boys,” withdrew allegations that they delivered cash in suitcases to Romualdez, Co and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The men had earlier claimed they served as Co’s bodyguards.
Romualdez denied Remulla’s allegation that his camp was responsible for the recantations, calling the accusation “absolutely not true.”
Ombudsman investigators have accused Romualdez and Co of allegedly engaging in “concerted and coordinated acts” to acquire about P56 billion in ill-gotten wealth from 2022 to 2025.
Remulla said the retractions would neither strengthen nor weaken the complaint because investigators have other evidence.
“The affidavits are there for us to use, and we will use them,” Remulla said during a press conference.
He also alleged that the recantations could indicate attempts to obstruct justice and pointed to Romualdez’s camp as the possible beneficiary.
Romualdez rejected the claim, saying the retractions support his position that the allegations against him were false and fabricated.
The four men previously signed affidavits alleging that they delivered cash to several officials. Three of them were among eight individuals who separately submitted affidavits to the Ombudsman.
Their lawyer, Levito Baligod, said the men had faced attempts to bribe them but acknowledged that he could not confirm whether the four received money before retracting their allegations. The four men told GMA News they signed the joint affidavit after receiving an alleged promise of financial assistance, which Baligod denied.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the conflicting statements raised questions about which accounts were credible and whether the four men were among the eight who submitted separate affidavits to the Ombudsman.
National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag said Baligod could face possible charges for obstruction of justice and false testimony. He also said the NBI had found inconsistencies in the men’s statements.
Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, whom the alleged bagmen had accused of receiving $2 million to bribe International Criminal Court investigators, said he would drop his criminal complaints against the four men.
