Arrest Looms for 18 ‘Bagmen’ Dodging Senate Blue Ribbon Probe
The panel warned the men could face contempt and arrest as they skipped the hearing and repeated their flood control kickback claims.
- On Monday, June 8, the 18 alleged bagmen skipped the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing led by Senator Erwin Tulfo, instead holding a press conference in Senator Robin Padilla's office on the fifth floor.
- Represented by lawyer Levito Baligod, the witnesses allege they delivered P805 billion in flood control kickbacks concealed in suitcases, though Senator Ping Lacson challenged the claim, estimating it would require 13,416 large suitcases.
- These witnesses previously testified at a June 4 hearing held by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano's bloc, which insists the committee's current leadership became illegitimate following the June 3 Senate reorganization.
- Tulfo, whom the witnesses implicated, warned of contempt citations and arrest for future absences; alongside Senator Vicente Sotto III, he is pursuing libel complaints against the group and Baligod.
- The Blue Ribbon Committee aims to test whether the witnesses' allegations will withstand scrutiny under the Gatchalian bloc-led panel, determining if they will submit to its authority amid the ongoing Senate leadership dispute.
8 Articles
8 Articles
Rappler Recap: Tulfo-led hearing tests testimony of Zaldy Co’s alleged ex-bodyguards
MANILA, Philippines – The testimony of Zaldy Co’s alleged former security aides came under scrutiny at the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing led by new chairperson Senator Erwin Tulfo on Monday, June 8. The 18 individuals earlier claimed they delivered suitcases filled with cash to several public officials but failed to present evidence to support their allegations. Although invited to attend the hearing on Monday, they skipped the proceeding…
Arrest looms for 18 ‘bagmen’ dodging Senate blue ribbon probe
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate blue ribbon committee warned that the 18 alleged bagmen of former congressman Zaldy Co may face contempt citations and subsequent arrest warrants should they persist in failing to attend the inquiry into the flood control project anomalies. “Let us invite these 18 individuals again to the next meeting and in the […]...Keep on reading: Arrest looms for 18 ‘bagmen’ dodging Senate blue ribbon probe
18 'ex-soldiers' visit Padilla, no show in Blue Ribbon probe
Despite making their way to the Senate premises on Monday, June 8, the 18 individuals—described by their lawyer, Levi Baligod, as “ex-Marines”- never appeared before the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.Instead, they “visited” Sen. Robin Padilla’s office where they held a press conference, away from the formal proceedings they were invited to attend.Baligod later said they were afraid of being cited in contempt and possibly detained, a concern that…
Romualdez, four lawmakers no-show at Senate Blue Ribbon hearing
MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Martin Romualdez and four other House of Representatives members were a no-show at the Senate investigation on the flood control fund scandal.Sen. Erwin Tulfo, chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee under the "new" majority bloc, led the inquiry.Those who also failed to attend the Tulfo-led BRC were Reps. Zia Alonto Adiong, Jose Alvarez, Jam Baronda, and Leila de Lima.The BRC secretariat said House of Representatives Se…
No immunity for 'gathering' with 18 'ex-Marines' — Gatchalian
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday clarified that the Senate does not recognize statements made during Thursday"s gathering, where 18 individuals identified as supposed “former Marines” alleged they had served as porters and bagmen in an alleged corruption scheme involving the President and other key political figures.
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