Metro Manila, Philippines — A prosecution witness estimated that more than 100 suitcases containing cash worth around ₱1 billion were delivered to an address linked to Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, saying he took part in the alleged deliveries, during Thursday’s, October 15, Sandiganbayan bail hearing for the former House speaker’s ₱7.44-billion plunder case.
Rodante Orbillo, a former aide of ex-congressman Zaldy Co who has described himself as a bagman, testified about alleged cash deliveries to several addresses associated with Romualdez in 2023 and 2024.
The testimony forms part of the prosecution’s effort to oppose Romualdez’s petition for bail.
Over 100 suitcases
Orbillo testified that more than 100 suitcases were brought to an address on McKinley Road in Makati, in 2023 and 2024. He said he could not recall the exact number of trips.
Orbillo identified other locations where suitcases were allegedly delivered, including addresses on a Narra Avenue and an Aguado Street.
He testified that 17 suitcases were brought to Narra Ave. in one trip and that 14 suitcases were brought to Aguado St. in another.
He estimated the alleged cash deliveries to Romualdez at around ₱1 billion.
According to Orbillo, the alleged deliveries began around September 2022, when Co became chair of the House appropriations committee, and continued through 2024.
He said the money was first brought to Co’s residence and counted before being transported to Romualdez.
Orbillo also testified that he identified an address on Narra Avenue as Romualdez’s residence because he had seen the lawmaker’s personal driver there.
READ: Orbillo claims cash-filled suitcases delivered to Sotto, Trillanes, Quimbo
‘Black durabox’ used before ‘maleta’
The prosecution presented a black durabox, a sturdy plastic storage container, that was allegedly used to carry money before suitcases, or maleta, were used for the deliveries.
Orbillo said he later requested the container to store his belongings.
When he was asked how he knew the suitcases contained cash despite saying he had never opened them or seen them opened, Orbillo cited the smell of newly printed money.
“Sa amoy ng pera, nasusuya na po ako” [I feel sickened by the smell of money], he told the court, explaining that he had become familiar with the scent.
Orbillo also testified that some suitcases initially had locks but were later delivered without them. He claimed some were so heavy that they tore.
Witness credibility
During cross-examination, Romualdez’s lawyers questioned Orbillo about his meetings with investigators, the preparation of his sworn statements, and his public appearance in press conferences
The defense also asked about the circumstances in which the allegations were gathered and presented, including the involvement of lawyer Levito Baligod.
Orbillo acknowledged that Baligod helped prepare and finalize his affidavits. He maintained, however, that the statements reflected what the witnesses themselves had said and that the contents were read to them before they signed.
The defense also raised questions about cases involving Orbillo, including perjury complaints and arrest warrants, challenging his credibility as a witness.
The prosecution objected to some questions concerning pending cases, arguing that they were irrelevant to the bail proceedings. The court restricted parts of the questioning and ordered certain answers stricken from the record.
Alleged offers to recant
Orbillo testified that he learned through messages and conversations with former colleagues that some witnesses had allegedly been offered money to withdraw their accusations.
He cited offers ranging from ₱15 million to ₱20 million.
Orbillo also recounted a conversation with another self-confessed bagman, whom he identified as Benny Bulontate, who allegedly told him he had received ₱8 million to recant.
“Sabi ko sa kanya, paldo ka na ah, [I told him, you hit a jackpot]” Orbillo recalled telling Bulontate, who allegedly replied, “Maliit nga binigay eh [amount they gave was small],” after Orbillo asked him to treat him to something.
In modern Filipino slang, paldo means hitting a jackpot, making a large amount of money, or having a big financial windfall.
Orbillo said Bulontate tried to convince him to accept the money, but he said no.
He explained that he wanted to stand by what he considered the truth, claiming that he had previously been falsely accused of frustrated murder.
