Metro Manila, Philippines – The Senate may soon investigate scathing allegations of a former military personnel claiming kickback deliveries to top government officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as well as the alleged secret accommodation of International Criminal Court investigators in the country.
Senator Imee Marcos, the president’s sister, filed a proposed resolution on Wednesday morning, Feb. 25, seeking a legislative probe into the controversy.
“We were all dismayed by the revelations yesterday and as a result I am hopeful that this will be the beginning of a very serious and comprehensive investigation which will result in charges and punishment if there are guilty parties,” Marcos said in a press briefing.
The resolution cites a press conference by lawyer and pork barrel scam whistleblower Levy Baligod, who presented a joint affidavit from 18 former Marine and Army personnel. They claimed to have worked as personal assistants and security consultants for former Ako Bicol Rep. and House appropriations chairman Zaldy Co — who is currently in hiding facing plunder charges over the flood control corruption scandal.
The affiants backed earlier allegations by Co and Senate witness Orly Guteza about kickback deliveries to President Marcos, his cousin former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and other officials.
Malacañang and several of the named lawmakers and personalities have denied the claims.
On Wednesday afternoon, Senator Marcos’ resolution was referred to the blue ribbon committee, chaired by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.
Questionable claims, timing
Lacson, a former Philippine National Police chief, questioned some details in the former military personnel’s claims and raised doubts about their credibility.
“May mga portions doon na pwede niyong sabihing credible pero may mga questionable,” he said.
He specifically challenged claims that P805 billion in flood control funds went to Co, noting that this would account for roughly 70% of all flood control funds from 2023 to 2025.
“Saan manggagaling ‘yung napunta kay Bernardo… ‘yung napunta kina Alcantara,” Lacson said.
He was referring to former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and former DPWH Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara, state witnesses in the Department of Justice’s probe into the flood control corruption scandal.
Lacson also revealed that he requested the Philippine Navy to verify the backgrounds of the 16 affiants claiming to be former Marines. A Navy spokesperson earlier confirmed that four of the individuals were never members of the service.
“Majority of the individuals were discharged dishonorably from the service, while others were able to retire in good standing,” said Navy spokesperson Captain Marissa Martinez.
“Doon pa lang makukuwestyon natin yung credibility ng source, if true,” Lacson said.
Meanwhile, two of the affiants were from the Army. Lacson said he will make a formal request to the Armed Forces of the Philippines regarding the matter.
When asked whether the former military personnel should be summoned to a Senate hearing, Lacson said: “After all the verification [and] evaluation, then probably.”
Discrediting ICC probe?
Lacson also questioned the timing of the allegations, coinciding with ICC hearings on former President Rodrigo Duterte and the anniversary of the People Power Revolution, suggesting potential politicking or destabilization attempts.
The affiants alleged that, in addition to the kickback deliveries, they were tasked to transport foreigners—later identified as ICC investigators—whose accommodations were supposedly covered by Co in coordination with former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
Trillanes denied receiving $2 million for this or any other purpose and said he will file cyberlibel complaints against Baligod and others spreading what he called a “blatant lie.”
“This is an attempt to discredit the ongoing ICC proceedings against Duterte,” Trillanes said.
