MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Erwin Tulfo has invited 18 alleged former Marines who claimed to have served as “bagmen” for former congressman Zaldy Co to attend a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the flood control controversy scheduled for June 8.
The invitation came after a separate hearing on the same issue took place on Thursday under the direction of Sen. Pia Cayetano and was presided over by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
Cayetano and Marcoleta belong to the bloc led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, which continues to challenge the validity of the Senate reorganization that designated Tulfo as chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee.
In his invitation, Tulfo directed the 18 individuals to submit notarized affidavits detailing their alleged roles as “bagmen” for Co.
During earlier proceedings, the individuals identified several officials whom they alleged received money from Co. Among those named were Tulfo and former Senate President Vicente Sotto III.
Tulfo and Sotto have denied the allegations.