Lawyer: 2 ex-Marines retract allegations vs. Loren Legarda

Two of Zaldy Co’s former bodyguards have retracted their allegation that they delivered cash to Senator Loren Legarda, lawyer Levito Baligod said Monday.

In a press conference, Baligod said the two personnel did not see the suitcase allegedly containing cash entering the premises of Legarda’s home.

“Pagbaba ng dalawang maleta… ay binigay nila kay Mark Ticsay. And then maya-maya lang sir napansin namin lumabas na si Boss Zaldy, sumakay na sa sasasakyan at umalis na kami,” he said.

(After the two suitcases were unloaded, they handed them over to Mark Ticsay. And then shortly afterward, sir, we noticed that Boss Zaldy came out, got into the vehicle, and we left.)

“So ang maalala namin sir with due respect, pasensya na ang sabi, wala kaming nakitang maleta na nakapasok doon sa gate. Kasi nung binaba namin ay lumabas din si Zaldy Co,” he added.

(So as far as we remember, sir, with due respect, we apologize, but we did not see any suitcase being brought inside the gate. Because when we unloaded them, Zaldy Co also came out.)

After confirming that they were sure, Baligod said he told them to make a statement in March and made them sign it.

He then asked former Congressman Mike Defensor if he had access to Legarda.

“Bakit? Sabi niya. Eh, ganito ‘yung kwan eh, sinasabi nung dalawang sundalo. Binigay ko po sa kanya ‘yung sinabi nung dalawang sundalo,” Baligod said.

(Why? He asked. Well, this is what happened, because this is what the two soldiers were saying. I gave him the statement of the two soldiers.)

“Sabi ko inamin nila pagkakamali nila. Kung gusto ni Senator Loren na kasuhan ‘yung dalawa, ibinibigay ko ang ebidensya. Pwede niyang kasuhan ng perjury ‘yung dalawa kung gusto niya,” he added.

(I said they admitted their mistake. If Senator Loren wants to file a case against the two of them, I am providing the evidence. She can charge the two with perjury if she wants.)

When asked if the cash could have been delivered after they left, Baligod said the two personnel told him she likely did not receive it.

"Ang sabi nila, malamang sinakay ni Mark Ticsay sa sasakyan ni Boss Zaldy," he said.

(They said it was likely that Mark Ticsay loaded it back to Zaldy Co's car.)

Baligod said they have yet to amend the affidavit they submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Meanwhile, he said there are no corrections to their allegations against Villar.

“Sabi nga nila, hindi nila nakita si Senator Mark pero naipasok nga nila ‘yung pera sa compound,” he said.

(They said they did not see Senator Mark but they delivered the cash to the compound.) —LDF, GMA News