Senators question credibility of alleged 18 alleged ex-Marines

Senators on Monday questioned the credibility of the supposed 18 former Marines who allegedly delivered kickbacks to certain officials.

During the consultative meeting of the Gatchalian-bloc Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the anomalous flood control projects, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, vice chairperson of the powerful panel, reiterated the reorganization of the Senate was constitutional and said the June 4 hearing was "illegal."

Pangilinan also explained the Senate committee held a meeting instead of a hearing "to facilitate the orderly transition and continuity of the committee's work pending the completion of its reorganization and membership and formal constitution of the Committee".

"We reiterate therefore that the so-called Blue Ribbon Committee hearing conducted last conducted last Thursday, June 4, was illegal, void ab initio, and had no binding effect," Pangilinan said.

Senator Raffy Tulfo also denounced the legislative inquiry of the Cayetano bloc as "live-selling" and questioned the credibility of the 18 alleged former Marines, which he called as "porters."

"We cannot simply bring in people sa Blue Ribbon Committee na nag-aakusa ng mabibigat na paratang nang hindi man lang nalalaman kung karapat dapat ba silang paniwalaan," said Tulfo.

"'Yung bansag na 18 Marines ay isang paraan upang pabanguhin sila sa publiko. ‘Matik po kasi ‘yan 'pag sinabing Marines, iba po ang respeto ng mga tao. Pero hindi naman po silang lahat ay dating Marines. At mahigit kalahati sa kanila ay discharged without honors o dishonorably discharged from service for various offenses, tulad ng pagiging AWOL o absent without official leave," he added.

(The label of 18 Marines is meant to elevate their public image. The label of Marines automatically gives respect but more than half of them were dishonorably discharged from service for various offenses such as AWOL.)

Tulfo likewise slammed the testimonies of the alleged former Marines including their supposed deliveries of money to Fr. Flaviano Villanueva, and Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III.

"It seems that some of the information from these 18 kargador are fed, they have a hard time telling their story on their own," the senator said.

"Kung papanoorin mo ang live selling nila noong Huwebes, hirap sila ikwento ang kanilang naratibo. The presiding officers of that conference were coaching and leading their 'resourceful' persons. 'Pag medyo nagkakamali, inaayos ng mga presiding officers ang testimonya. Minsan si Atty. (Levi) Baligod na hindi naman involved sa pagbitbit ng maleta ay siyang tumi-testigo tungkol sa nangyari eh wala naman siyang personal knowledge," he added.

(If you'll replay Thursday's live selling, they were having a hard time to narrate their story. The presiding officers of that conference were coaching and leading their 'resourceful' persons. If the bagmen commit error, they fix it. Even Atty. Baligod, who were never involved in the deliveries were giving testimonies.)

Last week, the bloc led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano held its own blue ribbon committee probe on the flood control projects. During the hearing, the 18 alleged former Marines implicated some incumbent lawmakers into the flood control mess.

Tulfo said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)'s information the alleged bagmen received P5 million each should be looked into.

"Kaya sa ating mga kababayan, mag-ingat po tayo sa papaniwalaan... 'Wag po tayo magpapadala sa mga mabulaklak na mga salita dahil lang nagbabasa sila ng Bibliya," the lawmaker said.

(To our fellow Filipinos, be careful on who will believe. Do not just listen to their flowery words and Bible verses.)

"Wag po tayo basta maniniwala dahil binansagang bayani o marines ang 18 kargador. Buksan po natin ang ating mga mata, tenga at utak. ‘Wag po tayo magpapadala sa mga live selling nila. Tingnan niyo kung sino yung nagbebenta. Kasi kung may history ‘yan ng pang-bubudol at di tayo maingat, tayo na ang susunod na biktima nila," Tulfo added.

(Let us not easily believe them. Let's open our eyes, ears, and minds. Do not get carried away with their live-selling and look at the seller -- determine if they have history and be careful.)

Meanwhile, Sotto said he sympathized with former Rep. Zaldy Co's former personnel, saying they may have been used and could end up taking the blame for wrongdoing in the preparation of a joint affidavit linked to the flood control scandal.

"I actually sympathize with the 18 ex-bodyguards because it seems like they are really being used. It’s sad because later on they might be the ones who will take the blame for all the wrongdoing of the one who prepared the joint affidavit," said Sotto.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, for his part, said he was dismayed over their absence on the meeting.

"Hindi umattend ang 18 bodyguards, yung kanilang abogado at si Mike Defensor sa ating patawag. Ito ay official na patawag," Gatchalian said.

(The 18 bodyguards, their lawyer and Mr. Mike Defensor, did not heed our invitation. This is an official invitation.)

"Nakakadismaya dahil kung alam ng 18 bodyguards na sa loob nang kanilang puso ay alam nila ang katotonan, dapat pumunta sila dito para i-share sating lahat. Hindi pwedeng pumili kung saan sila pumunta at magsasalita, hindi pwedeng pumili sino ang kakausapin kung kakampi man o hindi," he added.

(I am dismayed because if the 18 personnel know the truth, they should go here and share the truth. They cannot chose where to speak and who to speak to.)

Earlier, the 18 individuals who claimed to be former personnel of the Philippine Marine Corps who allegedly delivered kickbacks to government officials arrived at the Senate but did not attend the Gatchalian bloc-led Senate blue ribbon committee meeting. — RSJ, GMA News