ILOILO City — House Deputy Speaker and Iloilo 1st District’s Cong. Janette Garin has denied allegations that she received “suitcases of cash,” branding the claims of 18 former enlisted Philippine Marines personnel as “fake and baseless carved out of political vendetta” and signaling support for the filing of cyber libel and other charges against her accusers.
Garin issued the statement after a 31-page joint affidavit executed by the former Marines surfaced, alleging that they had delivered various sizes of suitcases purportedly containing money to several lawmakers, including her, upon the instructions of former Ako Bicol Party-list congressman Elizalde “Zaldy” Co.
“Fake and baseless carved out of political vendetta. Mike Defensor is a friend but his anti-BBM stand and their need to divert the public’s attention should be based on facts,” Garin told Panay News when asked for her reaction.
She dismissed the affidavit as “binutig kag patalang” (lies and nonsense) and directly challenged the former Marines to substantiate their claims.
“When, where, and who delivered those alleged maletas of money to me? Binutig kag patalang,” she said.
Garin also denied owning a townhouse in Metro Manila, contrary to claims in the affidavit that suitcases were delivered to her residence there.
According to Garin, the former Marines would not be able to answer basic questions about the supposed deliveries because the information they released was “fake” and meant to divert attention from real issues.
She also pointed out that no reputable news outlets reportedly attended or covered the release of the allegations.
Garin said she has already discussed with fellow members of the House of Representatives the plan to file cyber libel and other cases against the former Marines. She expressed support for the move and said they are now awaiting the final draft of the complaint.
She is among several lawmakers from Iloilo named in the affidavit. Others mentioned were Uswag Ilonggo party-list’s Cong. James “Jojo” Ang, Iloilo City Lone District’s Cong. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda, and former Kabataan party-list congressman Raoul Manuel.
Baronda and Manuel have earlier denied receiving any suitcase of cash from Co. As of press time, Ang had yet to issue an official statement.
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 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, according to their lawyer Levito Baligod.
The former servicemen said part of their duties under Co was to escort trusted executive assistants during alleged cash deliveries./PN
