18 ‘bagmen’ claims not enough to file charges, NBI says

By Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel

ONLY about 10% to 20% of the affidavit submitted by the 18 former bodyguards of former lawmaker Elizaldy “Zaldy” S. Co had merit, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Monday, though it still fell short as a basis for the filing of charges.

During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) consultative meeting on the multibillion-peso flood control scandal led by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo, NBI Director Melvin A. Matibag said the affidavit submitted by the 18 bagmen lacked corroboration.

“If there is anything factual there and not based on hearsay, it’s around 10%-20%. When we further broke down the 20% and asked the 18 [bagmen], it only strengthened our view that we cannot use that in filing a case,” Mr. Matibag said.

In his presentation, Mr. Matibag said that personal knowledge of the ex-bodyguards is “limited,” which meant some of the individuals who filed the affidavit relied on hearsay.

He added that the affidavit lacked supporting documents including CCTV footage, cellphone records, bank statements, and other physical devices which could serve as evidence for the bagmen’s claims.

The 18 ex-bodyguards on June 4 attended the hearing led by Senator Pilar Juliana “Pia” S. Cayetano where some members tagged Senators Vicente C. Sotto III and Mr. Tulfo as recipients of the flood control kickback, which the two have denied on Thursday.

This also prompted Mr. Tulfo to file charges against three of the bagmen before the Pasay Regional Trial Court on Monday for the crime of grave oral defamation, in relation to their statements about a luggage of money, human trafficking, and sexual trafficking.

“We didn’t let it slide because those accusations against me were lies,” Mr. Tulfo told reporters in Filipino at a briefing, also flagging the inconsistencies in the claims made by the 18 bagmen.

BusinessWorld has reached out to lawyer Levito D. Baligod, the legal counsel of the three bagmen, for comments but has yet to receive a response.

Earlier, at a press briefing held by Mr. Baligod with the 18 ex-bodyguards at Senator Robinhood C. Padilla’s office, the lawyer said there are additional 14 witnesses and seven more who are in “sensitive condition.”

Mr. Baligod also appealed to Mr. Tulfo to inhibit from the BRC as the senator is among those accused by his clients.

“What would be the response of Mr. Erwin Tulfo and other legislators similarly situated? Would he say ‘you’re telling the truth?’ No. He would say ‘you’re lying,’” Mr. Baligod said, requesting the senator to recuse himself from the proceedings.

After the filing, Mr. Tulfo told reporters that he is willing to inhibit his presiding role should the 18 bagmen attend the hearing.