Ombudsman casts doubt on ex-Marines’ cash delivery claims

“Canard.” 

That’s what Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla called the affidavit submitted by the 18 former Marine officers, who claimed to have delivered suitcases full of money to several government officials courtesy of former congressman Zaldy Co. 

According to JP Soriano’s report in “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, Remulla said in his radio show on dzRH that that the affidavit includes the claim that he met with the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators in his home in Makati City, which he denied.

The Ombudsman now wants the former soldiers to testify before the Senate. 

"Eighteen people signed one affidavit. An affidavit is supposed to contain...ang nakasulat diyan, personal knowledge mo. Yung sarili mo lang karanasan, sarili mong kaalaman. E paano naging common knowledge sa kanila yung labing-walo silang laging magkakasama? Sa buong affidavit na iyon?" he said in the radio show.

(An affidavit is supposed to contain your personal knowledge. Your own experience. How could they have common knowledge for all 18 of them? Were they all together throughout the affidavit?)

Also included in their affidavit is the alleged coordination between the Philippine government and the ICC investigators to investigate the extrajudicial killings during the previous administration’s drug war. 

But the ICC denied the allegations, as ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said that they “rely exclusively on our resources.” 

Meanwhile, the Iglesia Ni Cristo said they are waiting for the government’s response against corruption. 

“Mula nang magsagawa ng rally for transparency, accountability, justice, and peace ang Iglesia Ni Cristo noong November 16-17, 2025, patuloy kaming naghihintay kung paano tutugunan ng gobyerno ang malawak na katiwalian na naganap sa ating bansa,” the religious group said. 

(Since the Iglesia Ni Cristo held the rally for transparency, accountability, justice, and peace on November 16-17, 2025, we have continued to wait for how the government will address the widespread corruption that has occurred in our country.) 

“...male-maletang pera at kamakailan lang ay pinatunayan ng mga dating sundalo na umaming sila ang naghatid ng mga ito, bakit tila walang malinaw na hakbang upang palawakin pa at tapusin ang imbestigasyon?” it added. 

(...suitcases of money, and recently, former soldiers have testified and admitted that they were the ones who delivered them; why does it seem like there are no clear steps to expand and conclude the investigation?) 

Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said that evidence is important. 

“As chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, I haven’t changed my position about being led by evidence guided only by the prudent and logical way of treating any information that comes to my attention - evaluate and validate the credibility of and reliability of both the source as well as the information itself before taking action,” he said. 

“I respect their [INC] opinion with regard to the 18 ex-military personnel…Let me emphasize that having a different opinion does not imply disrespect,” he added. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News