Lacson begins evaluation of ex-Marines ‘cash deliveries’ claims

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson has begun evaluating the alleged delivery by former members of the Philippine Marine Corps of suitcases "filled with cash" to various individuals.

Lacson, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said that he initiated preliminary checks ahead of Senator Imee Marcos’ filing of a resolution on Wednesday seeking an investigation into the matter.

“We will evaluate first the source of information, which in this case are the 18 alleged Marine personnel who appeared at a press conference last Tuesday. Second is the reliability or credibility of the information itself, meaning the content of their affidavit,” he said in a statement released on Thursday.

Lacson also said he has written to the Philippine Navy and Philippine Army to conduct a record check and background investigation on the 18 supposed former members of the Philippine Marine Corps. 

On Tuesday, 18 ex-Marines accused several individuals of allegedly receiving cash from former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co. They also alleged that Co and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV "funded" the hotel accommodations of investigators from the International Criminal Court (ICC)

They also claimed having delivered cash to the house of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in Ilocos Norte.

Denials

The ICC Office of the Prosecutor earlier said that its activities are funded through the court's budget, noting that the expenses are strictly managed in an independent and transparent manner.

''OTP activities are funded through the Court’s budget approved by the ICC Assembly of States Parties and subject to established oversight mechanisms,'' the Public Information Unit of the Office of the Prosecutor told GMA Integrated News.

''The costs related to OTP prosecutions and investigations activities, including missions’ expenses are fully covered by this budget managed strictly by the Office in an independent and transparent manner, and in accordance with ICC financial rules and regulations,'' it added.

Trillanes also denied the accusations against him, saying that he will file a cyber libel case against Baligod and the 18 ex-Marines. 

“I vehemently and categorically deny na tumanggap ako ng $2 million o kahit na anong halaga mula kay Zaldy Co para daw ibigay o suportahan ‘yung ICC investigation o kung para sa anumang purpose. Hindi totoo ‘yan,” the former senator said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview. 

(I vehemently and categorically deny that I received $2 million or any amount from Zaldy Co to allegedly give or support the ICC investigation or for any purpose. That is not true.) 

“Gawa-gawa nila ‘yan. At ang intention nila dito ay para ma-discredit ‘yung proceedings ngayon na nangyayari sa ICC,” he added. 

(They are just making that up and their intention is to discredit the current proceedings that are happening at the ICC.) 

'Alarming'

Imee Marcos, sister of the President, said under proposed Senate Resolution No. 317 that the allegations in the joint-affidavit of the ex-military personnel who claimed to be employed by Co as personal assistants and security consultants, were “extremely alarming and serious” as it involved lawmakers, Cabinet officials, high ranking government officials, and even the President himself. 

The resolution was referred to the Blue Ribbon Committee.

Lacson earlier expressed apprehensions about the timing of the alleged money delivery scheme. He said there seems to be a political color and a destabilization bid in connection to the allegations. 

This, as the ICC on Monday began the confirmation of charges hearing for former president Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes against humanity case. 

Senator Erwin Tulfo, vice-chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee also shrugged off the allegations, claiming that the 18 ex-Marines were hired to give false accusations.

“Ayaw ko na ho sanang sagutin ‘yan dahil kung titingnan mo muna ‘yung credibility nung mga tao, mga kasamahan ni (Orly) Guteza ‘yan. Eh nasaan si Guteza? Wala na,” Tulfo said in another dzBB interview.

(I don't want to answer that because if you look at the credibility of the people, those are Guteza's colleagues. Where is Guteza? He is nowhere to be found.) 

“Lumalabas mga bayaran na mga testigo po ‘yan. Magsasalita, ika nga witnesses for hire ‘yan,” he added. 

(It seems that those were paid witnesses to speak out. Those are witnesses for hire.) 

Orly Guteza was the supposed whistleblower presented by Senator Rodante Marcoleta in one of the flood control hearings. He claimed that he personally delivered suitcases of money to the residences of Co and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Both Romualdez and Co have denied alleged links to the flood control scandal. —VAL, GMA Integrated News