Ex-bodyguards of Zaldy Co still willing to testify before Senate Blue Ribbon panel

The 18 former bodyguards of former lawmaker Zaldy Co, who claimed to have delivered cash to various personalities, are still willing to attend the hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, following the recent leadership change at the chamber.

“Of course,” Baligod said in an ambush interview.

Baligod and the former bodyguards of the lawmaker initially did not attend the consultative meeting held by Senator Erwin Tulfo on June 8 despite being on Senate premises.

According to Baligod, they were notified that a “meeting” was taking place and they were not required to attend.

“Kaya nung sinabihan ako na you need not attend, nag-presscon kami sa office ni Senator Padilla. Pero pagkatapos ng presscon na nalaman ko na nandoon pa rin sila. Sabi ko, pupunta na lang kami sa session hall. Pag punta namin eh biglang inadjourn,” he said.

(So when I was told that I did not need to attend, we held a press conference at Senator Padilla’s office. But after the press conference, when I learned that they were still there, I said we would just go to the session hall. When we arrived, they suddenly adjourned.)

Baligod and the ex-bodyguards were at the Department of Justice to subscribe to the counter-affidavit that they will file before the Office of the City Prosecutor of San Fernando, La Union, on Monday, June 22.

This is over the libel and cyberlibel complaint filed against them by La Union 1st District Representative Paolo Ortega. Baligod said they are seeking the dismissal of the complaint due to a lack of jurisdiction.

During the special session on June 17, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri nominated Gatchalian as Senate president. He replaced Cayetano, who had conceded his post before the special session.

Senator Francis Pangilinan said all 13 senators present voted "unanimously."

Meanwhile, Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III was elected as the new Senate president pro tempore. –NB, GMA News