ILOILO City — Eighteen former enlisted personnel of the Philippine Marine Corps have executed a 31-page sworn affidavit alleging they personally escorted and delivered suitcases believed to contain cash to several high-profile politicians, including Antique’s Sen. Loren Legarda and four lawmakers from Iloilo.
Among those named in the affidavit were Uswag Party-list’s Cong. Jojo Ang, Iloilo City Lone District’s Cong. Julienne Baronda, Iloilo 1st Districts’s Cong. Janet Garin, and former Kabataan party-list congressman Raoul Manuel.
In their joint affidavit, the 18 former Marines claimed they were instructed to escort and deliver various sizes of suitcases to lawmakers allegedly upon the orders of former congressman Elizalde “Zaldy” Co, whom they previously served as employees, personal assistants, or security consultants.
“Nautusan din kami na mag-escort at mag-deliver ng iba’t-ibang laki ng maleta sa mga congressmen/women na naalala namin sa ngayon dahil sila ang napapanood namin minsan sa telebisyon o palagi namin silang nakikita pagnakakausap sila ni Zaldy Co. Nag-deliver kami mismo sa bahay ng ilan, sa HOR (House of Representatives) at ‘yung iba ay kinuha nila sa Unit 8 o Unit 9 ng Polo Club Townhouse, Forbes Park,” part of the affidavit stated.
The affidavit further alleged that the former Marines personally delivered suitcases to the townhouses of Garin, Manuel, Ang, and Baronda.
“Kami…ay nag-deliver kay Sen. Loren Legarda noong 2024 ng dalawang medium sized na maleta sa No. 40 Cambridge Street, North Forbes Park,” the affidavit added.
The signatories to the affidavit included Belnard E. Tube, Rosebert M. Waupan, Benny S. Bulontate, Johnny A. Buduan, Rodante P. Orbillo, Reyneyboy O. Julian, Christopher T. Esquivel, George O. Villalon Jr., Romeo Rommel O. Bobares, Gil N. Navidad Jr., Anselmo Taberdo, Joely G. Cadiao, Rommel C. Galapon, Cecilio S. Larroder Jr., Bernard A. Gumban, Crisanie L. Dado, Fidel M. Corpuz, and Walter M. Manalansan.
Except for Galapon, a former Philippine Army enlisted personnel, and Julian, an Army reservist, the rest were former members of the Philippine Marine Corps.
The former servicemen said part of their duties under Co was to escort trusted executive assistants during alleged cash deliveries.
MANUEL DENIES RECEIVING CASH
Former Kabataan congressman Raoul Manuel swiftly denied the allegation, issuing a strongly worded statement rejecting claims that he received or benefited from kickbacks.
“Sinama ng 16 ex-Marines (plus one ex-army personnel and one army reservist) ang pangalan ko sa mga kongresista na tumanggap daw o nakinabang sa kikbak. Nakakahiya itong former Marines at Army! Mga asal marites! Di na nga nila naipagtanggol ang mga dagat natin mula sa panghihimasok ng mga banyaga, tapos gumawa pa sila ng mga kwento para idamay ang mga anti-Duterte na hindi kurakot,” Manuel said.
He questioned why those allegedly critical of the Duterte camp were the ones named in the affidavit.
“Kung tumanggap nga ako ng kikbak, saan ko ginamit? Alam ng mga taong nakakakilala sa akin na hindi ako nabubuhay nang marangya. Sasabihin ba nila na binigay ko ang mga kikbak sa NPA, na sinasabi rin nilang paubos na? The thinking is not giving!” he added.
Manuel maintained that previous red-tagging, accusations, and discrimination against him had not prospered, insisting that his conscience is clear and that he is not corrupt.
For her part, Baronda stated: “I choose not to engage in falsehoods and will instead pray for truth and fairness to prevail.”
In a statement, Baronda emphasized that she was “never mentioned in the inquiries conducted by the House, the Senate or the ICI (Independent Commission on Infrastructure)” and had no reason to be involved in the issue.
“The only reason I can think of my name being dragged into this latest political circus is my association with a local personality who was critical of the previous administration and who is helping me navigate local politics,” she said.
“I trust the discernment and wisdom of the Ilonggo people to see matters clearly and judge based on truth,” Baronda added.
Ang, Garin, and Legarda have yet to issue statements as of this writing./PN
