MALACAÑANG on Thursday dismissed allegations that suitcases containing millions of pesos in cash from anomalous flood control projects were delivered to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his residence in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, challenging witnesses to present evidence to support their claims.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro issued the statement after Bernard Tube, who identified himself as a former Marine, claimed that Marcos was among the politicians who received illegal funds from former House Appropriations panel chairman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co.
In a press conference, Castro said that accusations should be backed by documents and not merely by statements made during hearings.
“What’s the evidence? Let them show the evidence first because it is easy to point fingers, especially if your intention is merely to destroy and act as an obstructionist or destabilizer,” Castro said.
“So, they should prove it. They should present documents as evidence instead of merely talking,” she added.
Despite the allegation, Castro said the president would not interfere with the ongoing Senate investigation.
“It is not the president’s job to block anyone, so people should not create that kind of impression,” she said when asked whether Marcos intended to prevent former Marines and other witnesses from appearing before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
Castro said that the administration has no intention of obstructing the Senate’s proceedings and maintained that allegations raised during hearings should be supported by evidence and subjected to proper scrutiny.
The allegation surfaced during a Senate investigation into alleged anomalies involving flood control projects.
Tube claimed that he and Co delivered suitcases allegedly containing cash to the president’s residence in Paoay, but he could not provide the exact address of the property because they arrived at night.
He described the location as a house near a body of water and said he saw photographs of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and members of the Marcos family inside the residence.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo also denied allegations raised against him during an ongoing Senate inquiry, describing the claims made by former Marine Bernard Gumban as “big lies” and questioning the credibility of the testimony presented before what he referred to as a “bogus” Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.
In a statement, Tulfo said Gumban’s allegations contained significant inconsistencies, particularly regarding the number of suitcases allegedly delivered to the senator and the supposed amounts of money contained in them.
According to Tulfo, Gumban had previously stated under oath that he delivered six medium-sized suitcases to him. However, during the hearing, the witness referred to both two and six suitcases.
The senator also pointed to discrepancies in the reported value of the alleged contents of the luggage. He noted that earlier statements reportedly placed the value of money in smaller suitcases at between P15 million and P25 million, while more recent testimony cited figures ranging from P20 million to P25 million.
Tulfo said estimates for the contents of medium-sized suitcases shifted from P30 million–P40 million in an affidavit to P40 million–P50 million during the hearing.
“What are the real facts?” he asked, arguing that the changing details undermine the credibility of the accusations.
Tulfo further questioned the conduct of the investigation, claiming that some individuals named in earlier affidavits were no longer being mentioned, while other names had allegedly been added later. He raised concerns about the impartiality of the proceedings and suggested that political considerations may be influencing the inquiry.
“Is this what they call an impartial investigation? If you are an ally, you are safe; if you are an opponent, you are in danger?” he said.
The senator maintained that the allegations constitute a coordinated effort to damage his reputation and political standing.
“This is no longer a simple investigation. This is a clear and planned propaganda campaign against my character and reputation,” Tulfo said. He also criticized the use of “fake news and trolls” in public discourse, saying such tactics have no place in the Senate.
Case reopened
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), meanwhile, has reopened its inquiry into the so-called 18 Marines case and issued subpoenas to several individuals, including former congressman Mike Defensor, following new allegations of an attempted cash-for-testimony arrangement tied to the ongoing controversy over purported anomalous flood control projects.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said on Thursday that the bureau had concluded its initial investigation and submitted its findings to the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice.
However, he said the agency decided to revive the probe after receiving a new affidavit containing fresh claims that warranted further validation.
Matibag said the affidavit was executed by an individual who claimed a personal relationship with one of the former Marines and alleged that Defensor attempted to influence testimony through monetary inducements.
The document further claimed that an initial discussion of around P700,000 took place, with additional payments allegedly linked to securing a favorable statement. The NBI emphasized that these assertions remain unverified and are still subject to investigation.
In a related development, the bureau issued subpoenas to all concerned parties, including members of the group of 18 former Marines, as part of the renewed proceedings.
Matibag said the agency is also reviewing earlier documentation, including recorded interviews conducted during the initial probe, noting that 13 of the 18 former Marines previously declined to formally sign their written statements despite participating in the interviews.
He added that the NBI continues to examine evolving information connected to the case, including material circulating on social media, as part of its reassessment of the allegations.
The controversy surrounding the former Marines stemmed from their earlier claims during Senate proceedings, where they alleged involvement as so-called bagmen in the supposed delivery of about P805 billion in kickbacks linked to anomalous government flood control projects.
The allegations further implicated several political figures, including former House speaker Martin Romualdez and former congressman Zaldy Co.
These claims have not been independently substantiated and remain under scrutiny by authorities.
Matibag clarified that the reopening of the case does not indicate a conclusion on the veracity of any party’s claims, emphasizing that the bureau’s role is to validate evidence presented before it.
Meanwhile, Defensor denied the allegations, rejecting claims that he offered money to the former Marines in exchange for their statements.
In a statement, he also dismissed reports suggesting he had provided up to P5 million each to the 18 ex-Marines, calling the accusation false and misleading.
He said the narrative being presented by the NBI was intended to cast doubt on witnesses who, according to him, voluntarily came forward to share information.
Defensor maintained that there was no attempt to silence or influence any testimony and urged investigators to focus instead on the alleged corruption being raised.
“I just want to tell attorney Matibag: Don’t waste government funds trying to silence those who are speaking out. Use the resources of the NBI, the authority of the NBI, to investigate the real issue — the theft happening in our country,” Defensor said.
