ILOILO City – Three incumbent lawmakers from Iloilo and a former party-list representative were again dragged into a controversy involving alleged deliveries of cash-filled suitcases.
Their names were raised during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Thursday based on affidavits executed by 18 former Philippine Marines personnel.
During the hearing chaired by Sen. Pia Cayetano, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta cited affidavits allegedly executed by the former Marines, who claimed they had delivered suitcases containing money to several lawmakers and other personalities in different locations, including residences and townhouses.
Among those mentioned were Uswag Ilonggo party-list’s Cong. James “Jojo” Ang, Iloilo City Lone District’s Cong. Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda, Iloilo 1st District’s Cong. Janette Garin, and former Kabataan party-list representative Raoul Manuel.
According to Marcoleta, the affidavits alleged that the lawmakers received suitcases containing money purportedly linked to former congressman Elizalde “Zaldy” Co.
“Etong lahat na binanggit ninyo ay naglilingkod na miyembro ng House of Representatives at ‘yung iba naman ay wala na. Kailangan patibayin natin sa pamamagitan ng inyong individual or sama-samang paglalahad na silang lahat ay nakatanggap sa ibat-ibat paraan at lugar,” Marcoleta said during the hearing.
Also named in the ex-Marines’ affidavits were several other current and former lawmakers, including Cong. Sandro Marcos, Cong. Terry Ridon, Cong. Gerville Luistro, former congresswoman Arlene Brosas, Cong. Benny Abante, Cong. Zia Adiong, Cong. Jose Alvarez, former congressman Ace Barbers, Cong. Joel Chua, former congressman Dan Fernandez, and former congresswoman Stella Quimbo.
Catholic priest Fr. Flavie Villanueva was likewise mentioned as among those allegedly sent suitcases, according to the report.
The hearing also drew attention because Sen. Loren Legarda’s name was not mentioned by Marcoleta despite having previously appeared in affidavits that circulated on social media in February 2026.
Panay News sought reactions from Ang, Baronda, Garin, and Manuel, but as of press time none had issued official statements or responded to requests for comment.
Manuel, however, described the proceedings in a Facebook post as a “fake blue ribbon committee” and dismissed the testimonies presented during the hearing as “fake testimonials.”
For her part, Barondan on Wednesday afternoon, June 3, filed cyber libel complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the 18 ex-Marines and their lawyer Levito Baligod.
Baronda denied the accusations, describing them as fabricated and without basis.
In an interview after filing the complaints, the congresswoman questioned the source of the allegations.
“Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganoon. Alam naman natin na gumagawa lang sila ng istorya,” Baronda said.
Asked why she believed her name was dragged into the controversy, she pointed to her longstanding support for the military institution and her involvement in issues tackled during congressional hearings.
The allegations are not new. Affidavits executed by the 18 former Marines first surfaced publicly in February 2026 and had already implicated several lawmakers, including the Iloilo officials and Manuel.
In their affidavit, the former Marines claimed: “Nautusan din kami na mag-escort at mag-deliver ng ibat-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.”
The 18 affiants were identified as former enlisted personnel of the Philippine Marine Corps and Armed Forces of the Philippines, most of whom reportedly worked for former congressman Co as personal assistants or security consultants.
TO SENATORS, TOO?
A self-identified former Marine claimed personally delivering suitcases with money to Sen. Erwin Tulfo and several other current and former public officials.
Bernard Gumban claimed he he made two trips to Tulfo’s residence in Greenhills, where he allegedly delivered luggage containing large sums of money.
According to Gumban, the first delivery consisted of a small and a medium-sized suitcase. He estimated that the small suitcase contained around P20 million to P25 million, while the medium-sized suitcase allegedly held between P40 million and P50 million.
He also claimed that a second delivery involved six more suitcases of varying sizes.
Gumban said the deliveries were coordinated by a certain Mark Ticsay, who allegedly arranged the turnover at Tulfo’s residence. He testified that upon arrival, the luggage was brought inside the property and handed over to individuals waiting there.
Other former Marines also named several other personalities who allegedly received money, including President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, and former senator Cong. Leila de Lima.
Malacañang dismissed the claim that President Marcos was among the recipients of cash deliveries, particularly allegations that suitcases containing money were brought to his residence in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.
“Ano ang ebidensya? Pakita muna nila ‘yung ebidensya. Madali kasi ang magturo, lalo kung ang balak mo lang ay manggiba at magsilbing obstructionist o destabilizer,” Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing.
As of Thursday, several of the individuals named have yet to issue statements addressing the e-Marines claims./PN
