MANILA — A lawyer on Tuesday publicly presented former members of the Philippine Marines who executed sworn affidavits alleging that suitcases filled with cash were delivered to several politicians — including President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. — in what he described as a coordinated operation that began in 2022.
Speaking at a press conference at Club Filipino, lawyer Levi Baligod identified the men behind him as former Marines who claimed to have worked for former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co and to have personally participated in transporting large sums of money to various recipients.
“The soldiers behind me served the country, and they are here not because of politics but because they want to contribute to revealing what they believe is the truth,” Baligod said.
Baligod alleged that the deliveries included suitcases brought to Marcos’ residence in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, and that the supposed operations continued until the alleged “flood control scam” surfaced in the middle of last year.
According to the affidavits presented, contractors from different parts of the country who were allegedly promised government projects remitted money to Co at a residence in Valle Verde Phase 6 in Pasig City. The cash, Baligod claimed, was counted and repacked into suitcases before being transported to Co’s penthouse unit at Horizon Homes in Bonifacio Global City.
He further alleged that the funds were then prepared for distribution to various lawmakers and other recipients through different modes of transport, including airplanes and helicopters. In one instance, Baligod claimed that as many as 52 pieces of luggage filled with cash were delivered in a single operation.
Photographs that allegedly showed suitcases containing money were also presented during the briefing. Baligod said some of the luggage was so heavy that several individuals were needed to carry each piece.
Beyond the alleged cash deliveries to politicians, Baligod also raised claims linking Co to financial support for individuals connected to International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators who visited the Philippines in December 2023 in relation to the investigation of former President Rodrigo Duterte over alleged crimes against humanity.
“Unang dumating ang mga ICC investigators sa Pilipinas noong December of 2023. At bago mag-December 2023 ay inutusan sila na magpapalit ng peso to dollar. Dalawang maleta na ang bawat maleta may nilalaman na P56 million,” Baligod said.
“Kaya nakapagpalit sila ng equivalent to P2M. At ang sabi ng mga executive assistants ni Ginong Zaldy Co ay pinaghahandaan ang pagdating ng foreigners. At kalaunan ay nakilala ng mga ito na ang foreigners na binabanggit ay mga ICC investigators,” he added.
Baligod further alleged that ICC investigators interviewed only selected witnesses endorsed by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and conducted meetings in private venues instead of government offices.
“Wala silang ibang in-interview na mga witnesses kundi ang mga tao lamang na pinapadala ni Sonny Trillanes. At ibinigay kay Sonny Trillanes ang pundo para sa pag-asikaso sa mga ICC investigators na ito,” Baligod said.
“Lahat ng hotel accommodations ay sinagot ni Zaldy Co at Sonny Trillanes,” he added. “Makikita po ang madalas na pag-deliver nila ng mali-maleta at minsan mga paper bags na mga pera patungo sa mga nag-aalaga sa ICC investigators.”
As of posting time, Malacañang and other officials named in the allegations had not issued official statements addressing the claims. The allegations remain unverified, and no formal charges had been announced in connection with the statements presented during the press conference./PN
