Mike Defensor: Alan Peter Cayetano facing threats for joining 'Blue Ribbon' probe

Former congressman Mike Defensor said Tuesday Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has been facing threats and pressure for participating in a press conference attended by 18 alleged former bodyguards of businessman Zaldy Co.

Defensor expressed concern over what he described as a worsening climate of intimidation surrounding individuals involved in the event.

"Delikado po ang sitwasyon ng ating bansa. Napakagulo ng sitwasyon ng ating bansa. Ang mga demokratikong institusyon katulad ng Senado ay binababoy, ginigipit maging ang mga senador," Defensor said.

(The situation in our country is dangerous. The situation in our country is very chaotic. Democratic institutions such as the Senate are being undermined, and even senators are being subjected to pressure.)

Defensor specifically pointed to Cayetano's attendance at the event.

"'Yung lang po pagpunta niya dito ay marami nang mga pananakot na nagaganap, maraming panggigipit kaya iiwan na natin sa kanila 'yan kung anong gagawin bilang grupo. Bagkus hindi po dapat mahinto ang paglabas ng katotohanan. Wala naman tayong ibang gusto," he said.

(Just by coming here, many threats and acts of pressure have already taken place. We will leave it to them as a group to decide what they will do. What is important is that the truth should not be prevented from coming out. That is all we want.)

During the hearing, Gerone Valderama, who identified himself as a former Marine, alleged that he delivered approximately 30 suitcases containing money to former Speaker and Leyte representative Martin Romualdez at a residence on Narra Street in Forbes Park, Makati City.

He further claimed that he later delivered seven additional suitcases of varying sizes.

Valderama also named Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia, former PNP general and now Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Nicolas Torre, and ML Party-list Representative Leila de Lima as recipients of suitcases.

De Lima previously filed complaints with the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation against the 18 supposed bagmen, saying the lack of consistency in their statements clearly shows their claims are false.

Respond to a query from GMA News, Garcia denied the bagmen's allegations, also pointing out supposed inconsistencies in their statements. Garcia said they previously claimed bringing four suitcases to him in front of a hotel, but now the narrative was that small bags were handed.

"Lahat ng 'yan ay kasinungalingan... Hindi na nagtutugma mga sinasabi nila. Nagtatalo talo na," the Elections chief said.

(These are all lies... Their statements are inconsistent. They contradict each other.)

"'Yan ang mahirap kapag may nagdidikta lang kung ano ang sasabihin nila at hindi ung kung ano ang totoo. Ano naman kinalaman ko sa flood control? Kaawaan nawa cla ng Dios," he added.

(That's the hard part if others dictate what they say and not what's the truth. What do I have to do with flood control? May God have mercy on them.)

GMA News Online has requested comment from Torre regarding Valderama's statements, but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

Earlier in the day, Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Erwin Tulfo said they are considering legal action against Defensor for claiming that the Blue Ribbon committee would be resuming its probe into the flood control controversy. — VDV, GMA News