3 days ago
7
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
EJ Macababbad - The Philippine Star
March 19, 2026 | 12:00am
Fugitive ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co
Rep. Elizaldy Co via Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Only six of the 18 alleged bagmen of fugitive ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co signed the testimony they gave to the National Bureau of Investigation, according to NBI director Melvin Matibag.
The bagmen, who presented themselves as ex-Marines, underwent eight hours of individual questioning on Tuesday with their lawyer, Levi Baligod, moving around each room to check on his clients.
Matibag, however, said yesterday that Baligod wanted copies of all the testimonies to “change some statements.”
“They made sworn statements to our agents and investigators, but when they were about to sign their documents, only six signed. As for the 12, Baligod said he wanted to ask for copies and review them,” Matibag told True FM.
“Of course, our agents did not agree because that’s the personal recollection of the 18 ex-Marines. They just needed to sign their testimonies that were simply reduced into writing,” he added.
The NBI chief said Baligod wanted to withdraw the signatures of his six clients, to no avail.
Allies of the 18 men had scoffed at the idea of interrogating them individually.
The alleged bagmen claimed they delivered suitcases of flood control kickbacks to the residences of President Marcos and former speaker Martin Romualdez.
Matibag cited a 2017 Department of Justice order prohibiting copies of the testimonies from being released “unless they are brought to the court and the case becomes full-blown.”
He cited the case of Chavez v. Public Estates Authority, in which the Supreme Court decided in 2003 that “if you are subject to an investigation, you cannot release those documents.”
Matibag said copies would be provided to Baligod once the investigation is complete.
In any case, whether or not the ex-Marines signed the affidavits, they still consented to record their question-and-answer sessions with investigators that could later be used in court, Matibag said.
For now, he could not say whether the ex-Marines provided inconsistent testimonies.
