Adiong ready to confront ex-Marines over 'lies' involving money in suitcases

House prosecution panel spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong on Friday said he stands ready to confront the individuals who introduced themselves as former Marines for their lies about lawmakers receiving money from former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.

Adiong was responding to the allegations made during the hearing held by the bloc led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

Senator Erwin Tulfo, who heads the Senate blue ribbon committee under the Gatchalian bloc, said the flood control probe will resume on Monday, June 8.

“With or without the invitation, if 18 Marines will go there, I'm willing to waive the parliamentary courtesy. Pupunta ako. Gusto kong kaharapin sila (I will go to the Senate and confront them),” Adiong said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

“I want to ask them, saan ko kinuha? Sinabi nila dineliver daw nila sa House. Eh ang daming CCTV sa House. Anong petsa ‘yan? Anong oras ‘yan? Sinong tumanggap? Anong klaseng maleta ‘yan? Magkano ‘yan? Saan sa opisina ko?“ he added.

(Where did I get these money? They said they delivered it to the House, there are a lot of CCTVs in the House. What are the dates? The time? Who received it? What kind of suitcase? How much? Where in my office?)

Adiong then said that the alleged former Marines should show up on Monday hearing because it is the proper forum to make their allegations on record and under oath.

“Hindi ako natatakot sa mga sinungaling. Gusto ko silang harapin (I am not afraid of liars. I will face them head on),” he said.

Likewise, Adiong said that he is already considering filing charges against the alleged former Marines, saying these allegations are not only slandering individuals but, worse, holding the Senate hostage.

“I’m now contemplating on filing a libel charge against them. This is not a personal issue but about the country not being able to move forward because of them holding the Senate hostage,” he said.

“They are just doing a stunt,” he added.

In a separate statement, House lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said the alleged former Marines are just after discrediting the prosecutors of the impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte and any personality against former President Rodrigo Duterte, the father of the Vice President.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta, subcommittee chairman of the Senate blue ribbon under the Cayetano bloc on Thursday suspended the inquiry until further notice after the 18 marines made their testimony.

“These allegations involve billions of pesos of the people's money. That's precisely why the hearings must continue,” Marcoleta said.

“The public deserves a fair, independent and transparent probe. Mere denials are not enough,” he added. —AOL, GMA News