Probe bodies: ‘Ex-Marines’ raps must be more accurate
Both the Office of the Ombudsman and the National Bureau of Investigation told 18 men who were introduced by their lawyer as ex-Marines and part of the security detail of fugitive former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co to submit separate affidavits detailing their supposed delivery of up to P805 billion in alleged kickbacks to various officials.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the Ombudsman’s office sent a letter to the men’s lawyer, Levito Baligod, to produce a “more accurate and credible narration of facts,” and not heavily rely on the joint affidavit which they had submitted as part of a corruption complaint against the officials late last month.
“As the Ombudsman [Jesus Crispin Remulla] has mentioned, a joint narration of facts loses credibility,” he told reporters in a message thread.
“The contents may be true but the credibility will be strengthened when each one narrates the fact from their own unique perspective,” he said.
In a press conference on Feb. 24, Baligod said the 18 men had delivered dozens of suitcases full of money to President Marcos and more than 30 former and incumbent government officials, including former Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, former Senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV, and former Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo.
The others were former Makabayan lawmakers France Castro of ACT Teachers, Arlene Brosas of Gabriela and Raoul Manuel of Kabataan.
In addition to the former and incumbent government officials, they said that 2025 Ramon Magsaysay awardee Fr. Flaviano “Flavie” Villanueva, who helped families of victims of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, also received money.
The money, which all came allegedly from Co, was supposedly part of the billions of pesos in kickbacks derived from anomalous flood control projects.
The 18 men were among 25 individuals summoned by the NBI on Thursday in connection with its investigation of their allegations.
Clavano earlier said that the Ombudsman had deputized the NBI to verify the identities and background of the 18 men “since there have been conflicting reports on who they are and where they used to serve.”
The 18 men made their first public appearance on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution and on the second day of the determination of charges hearing of former President Duterte, who is accused of crimes against humanity in his war on drugs in the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Must provide context
After their press conference, Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez said that four of the 18 never served in the Marines and “majority” of the rest were dishonorably discharged. The others retired in good standing.
AFP public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad told the Inquirer on Thursday that it was up to Baligod to provide context for the list of supposed ex-Marines who filed the alleged corruption complaint.
He said the NBI or other law enforcement agencies conducting the investigation would issue the list of names after which the military can check their official identities.
“The AFP has not received an official request for the identity of the complainants in support of their claims as former military personnel,” he said.
Whether the individuals were former soldiers or civilians was immaterial to the corruption case. What matters are the sworn affidavits supporting their allegations, Trinidad said.
“In the first place, they are no longer in the service and are now considered civilians,” he said.
Trinidad said that highlighting their alleged past military affiliation would amount to “grandstanding” if it was not relevant to the complaint being filed.
‘Lousy script’
Palace press officer Claire Castro has dismissed the allegations against Mr. Marcos as a “lousy script” and “not award-worthy,” saying that they were part of a smear campaign against the President.
Most of the former and incumbent lawmakers tagged by the 18 men had denied the allegations and accused the Dutertes and their supporters of orchestrating their sudden appearance.
Trillanes allegedly received $2 million to bribe investigators from the ICC who came to the country last year.
Remulla, who admitted having talked to the investigators when he was still the justice secretary, said six of the 18 men are facing murder charges.
De Lima and Trillanes have filed separate criminal cyberlibel and perjury complaints against Baligod and the 18 men, while Castro, the former ACT representative, said she was considering suing them for civil damages.
Only 16 of the 18 appeared at the NBI on Thursday accompanied by Baligod.
Baligod said one failed to attend because his wife was giving birth, but he did not provide a reason for the other one’s absence.
‘Recruiter an ex-general’
NBI Director Melvin Matibag told reporters that a retired general recruited 103 men, including the 18, to form part of Co’s security detail.
Mr. Marcos and other officials said Co is currently in Portugal. He has refused to return to the Philippines to face graft and malversation charges in connection with a substandard road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, that cost more than P289.5 million.
Former Rep. Mike Defensor and his wife, Julie Defensor, also appeared at the NBI to comply with the subpoena.
Ferdinand Topacio, a lawyer for Defensor, who was among those sued for cyberlibel by Trillanes, criticized the submission of affidavits to the Ombudsman, saying it was just a “duplication” of what was to be handed to the NBI.
“You are the source of the deputization, and you will conduct an investigation, too? Isn’t the only purpose here is to harass, disturb, and confuse the Marines?” Topacio said.
Matibag requested each of the 18 to prepare separate sworn statements based on their personal recollections. They requested to submit them on March 17, he said.
Baligod also has to prepare his own affidavit with the help of another lawyer because he is “also subject to this inquiry,” Matibag said.
The lawyer said he and the 18 men will return next week with “other evidence.”
‘Oversight’ on De Lima
In response to him, Clavano said: “How did the opportunity to rectify the affidavits’ form become harassment?”
Baligod has admitted committing an “oversight” in listing De Lima among the recipients of suitcases full of cash, but the lawyer said he still included her on the list of kickback recipients because she was allegedly present at meetings where she was handed a “paper bag” containing cash.
De Lima, now a Mamamayang Liberal representative, said “that is still a lie” denying that she received any money “whether in a suitcase, a paper bag, or any container.” —WITH REPORTS FROM MARY JOY SALCEDO AND GABRYELLE DUMALAG
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