Metro Manila, Philippines – Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and the 18 ex-Marines who allegedly delivered suitcases of cash have been invited to attend the ninth flood control hearing led by the Senate blue ribbon committee on Thursday, June 4.
This follows earlier reports that the committee chaired by Senator Pia Cayetano withdrew its invite for the 18 ex-Marines, according to their legal counsel Levi Baligod.
READ: Blue Ribbon committee withdraws invite for 18 ex-marines in flood control hearing – lawyer
In their affidavit, the 18 soldiers said that they were bagmen who delivered ₱805 billion in cash as kickbacks to government officials under the orders of fugitive and expelled lawmaker Zaldy Co.
Romualdez was alleged to be one of the lawmakers who received kickbacks. He early refuted the accusations and described them as “political and the product of coaching.”
Meanwhile, the Senate panel invited officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Justice, the Department of Budget and Management.
Also invited were some of Co’s assistants allegedly involved in the scheme.
Here is the complete list of those invited to the June 4 hearing:
