Ombudsman to evaluate affidavit on ex-soldiers’ corruption claims

The Office of the Ombudsman will now evaluate the allegations made by 18 supposed ex-members of the Philippine Marines that public officials received money from former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, as well as the credibility of those who made the allegations.

The Office of the Ombudsman issued the statement after lawyer Levi Baligod urged Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to probe the allegations as detailed in a notarized affidavit submitted to the Ombudsman.

“At this stage, the submission is in the nature of a transmittal of an affidavit and is not yet a verified complaint initiating formal proceedings. [But] consistent with established rules and procedures, the document will undergo the standard evaluation process of the Office,” the Ombudsman said.

“This includes a determination of sufficiency in form and substance, jurisdiction, and the existence of a prima facie basis to proceed, if warranted. As with any matter brought before it, the Office will carefully assess not only the contents of the affidavit but also the credibility of the affiants and the supporting evidence presented,” it added.

However, the Ombudsman stressed that their office is not a political tool.

“Given the breadth of personalities mentioned and the evident political context in which the allegations have surfaced, the Office emphasizes that it cannot and should not be used as a political arena,” it said.

“The Ombudsman remains an independent constitutional body guided solely by evidence, law, and due process. The public is assured that the Office of the Ombudsman will act with fairness, objectivity, and professionalism in accordance with its constitutional mandate,” the Ombudsman added.

Earlier on Thursday, Baligod urged the Ombudsman to look into the allegations of the supposed ex-Marines, who claimed that Co ordered them to deliver cash to certain government officials.

Baligod said the Ombudsman can now act on the allegations since he already submitted their notarized affidavit. The 18 supposed Marines were not present when Baligod submitted their affidavit.

In an earlier press conference with the ex-Marines, Baligod also alleged that Co and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV funded the hotel accommodations of the ICC probers who investigated the war on drugs of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte.

On Thursday, the ICC Office of the Prosecutor denied the allegations and said its activities are funded by the court’s budget.

In a statement sent to GMA Integrated News, the Public Information Unit of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor said its expenses are strictly accounted for through an independent and transparent manner.

This was followed by Malacañang’s statement that the claims of Baligod and the supposed former soldiers were meant to discredit the international tribunal, as it conducts its confirmation of charges hearings against Duterte in The Hague.

Earlier on Wednesday, Senator Imee Marcos sought an investigation into the allegations of the supposed former soldiers and Baligod, which included claims that they allegedly delivered cash to the house of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Ilocos Norte.

The Palace also called the allegations against Marcos a “lousy script” and not even worthy of an award. — JMA, GMA Integrated News