Lacson raises questions on supposed ex-Marines’ flood control kickback claims

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Monday raised questions of “logic and mathematics” over the allegations of 18 supposed ex-Philippine Marines members who claimed that they delivered suitcases of cash as kickbacks linked to the flood control mess.

In a privilege speech on Monday, Lacson, chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Lacson said he was criticized for not inviting the supposed ex-soldiers to testify in the legislative inquiry on the flood control scandal.

“While I reserve judgment on the merits of the testimonies, I am duty-bound to raise questions of logic and, at the very least, basic mathematics,” he said.

“These are not intended to disparage the testimonies of the said individuals, but rather ensure that proper evaluation of the credibility and reliability of both the source or sources of the information and the information itself adhere to rational and logical standards of believability before we take appropriate action,” Lacson added.

He then posed a hypothetical scenario.

Lacson pointed out that even if resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co’s personnel processed P500 million per day and worked 24/7, it would take at least five and a half years or until mid-2028 for them to unload, count, repack, load, and deliver the P805 billion cash allegedly delivered to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. if they started as early as the second semester of 2022 when Co became the House appropriations panel chair.

“I raise this question to ensure that the testimonies withstand established facts and logic before we even invite them to testify,” he said.

“If their statements appear to be demonstrably false and physically impossible to accomplish, wouldn’t convening a hearing effectively validate and dignify disinformation?” Lacson added.

Over the weekend, the senator stressed the need to validate the credibility of the source and the reliability of the information surrounding allegations that supposed ex-Marine personnel delivered suitcases “filled with cash” to several individuals.

Lacson was referring to the allegations of the 18 supposed ex-Marines accusing several individuals of allegedly receiving cash from Co.

They also claimed that Co and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV funded the hotel accommodations of investigators of the International Criminal Court (ICC) who visited the country.

The group also alleged that they delivered cash to the residence of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Ilocos Norte.

Malacañang and various personalities implicated in the alleged payoffs have denied the ex-Marines’ allegations, while the ICC Office of the Prosecutor stressed that its activities are funded by the ICC. — JMA, GMA Integrated News