MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Thursday dismissed as an “old story” a witness’ allegation that he received a suitcase allegedly containing cash as part of a purported kickback scheme involving government infrastructure projects.
Sotto was responding to claims by Rodante Orbillo, one of the individuals known as the “18 Maleta Boys,” who alleged that he had delivered suitcases not only to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez but also to Sotto, former Marikina representative Stella Quimbo and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
“Old story. Does not deserve a response,” Sotto told reporters when asked about the allegation.
Orbillo made the allegation while testifying before the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Thursday, during the hearing on Romualdez’s petition for bail in a plunder case linked to alleged kickbacks from government flood control projects.
The witness was among the former security aides of former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co, collectively referred to as the “18 Maleta Boys,” who have been linked to allegations of cash deliveries to politicians in connection with purported kickbacks from flood control and other infrastructure projects.
Romualdez, Co and two other individuals have been accused of involvement in the alleged kickback scheme.
