Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Individuals who claimed to be ex-security aides of former lawmaker Zaldy Co face members of the media during an interview session at Valle Verde Country Club on March 5, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17732382343201773238231182.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Individuals who claimed to be ex-security aides of former lawmaker Zaldy Co face members of the media during an interview session at Valle Verde Country Club on March 5, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — For Senate President Vicente Sotto III, it is up to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to decide if it will hear the testimony of the 18 supposed former Marines who claim to have made cash deliveries in suitcases to various government personalities.</p><p>The matter has become a point of contention between Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who was panel chair before Lacson.</p><p>&quot;I leave it to them. I do not have any personal opinion on the matter,&quot; Sotto told the Kapihan sa Manila Bay.</p><p>Sotto himself was mentioned as an alleged recipient of cash deliveries in the supposed former Marines&#x27; affidavit.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/11/five-signatures-needed-to-send-partial-flood-control-probe-report-to-senate-floor-1944"><strong>Five signatures needed to send partial flood control probe report to Senate floor<br/></strong></a></div><p>&quot;Hindi naman ako senador ng 2022 to 2025. Sabi ko nga, baka hanapin sa akin ng misis ko yung limang maleta,&quot; Sotto added.</p><p>&quot;So I&#x27;d rather not I&#x27;ll leave it to the members of the Blue Ribbon whether they should be invited to give credence or to give a platform to the people behind them.&quot;</p><p>Sotto said he hasn&#x27;t read the affidavits and has chosen not to dignify their claim, calling it a &quot;tall story.&quot;</p><p>Marcoleta had chastised Lacson for failing to investigate the claims of the former soldiers, resulting in a word war in the plenary session on Tuesday night.</p><p>Sotto defended Lacson, who he believes is doing his job properly.</p><p>&quot;Siyempre ngayon kung bibira-birahin niyo yung chairman papalag &#x27;yun at pagpalag nun, lahat ng nakita niyang mali mo ilalantad. O hindi ba pito yung nilantad niya kahapon,&quot; Sotto added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;NO SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR LACSON&#x27;</strong></div><p>Sotto also fended off Marcoleta&#x27;s claims that Lacson enjoys special treatment, as Lacson gave a privilege speech at the opening of the session Tuesday in response to Marcoleta&#x27;s own privilege speech against Lacson Monday night.</p><p>&quot;Ang totoo niyan, sa Senado, pag tumayo, gusto mo tumayo, wala kaming rule na bawal yun,&quot; Sotto said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/10/lacson-marcoleta-face-off-over-delayed-blue-ribbon-report-1800"><strong>Lacson, Marcoleta face off over &#x27;delayed&#x27; Blue Ribbon report<br/></strong></a></div><p>Sotto said Marcoleta was complaining that when he gave his privilege speech on Monday, there were only a handful of senators to listen.</p><p>&quot;Eh paano, tumayo siya, patapos na yung session eh. Ang privilege hour kasi, nilalagay ng majority leader talaga sa bandang dulo. Privilege hour yun,&quot; Sotto explained.</p><p>Sotto also maintained one cannot play hardball in the Senate.</p><p>&quot;Basta follow the rules. Follow the procedures. Doon na lang para ika-nga live and let live sumunod tayo sa tama. Sumunod tayo sa mga ika nga kautosan sa atin ganun dapat lang para hindi tayo nagkakagulo.&quot;</p>

<p>For Senate President Vicente Sotto III, it is up to the Members and Chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to decide if it will hear the testimony of the 18 alleged former marines who claim to have made cash deliveries in suitcases to various government personalities.</p>

For Senate President Vicente Sotto III, it is up to the Members and Chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to decide if it will hear the testimony of the 18 alleged former marines who claim to have made cash deliveries in suitcases to various government personalities.

Sotto: Up to Blue Ribbon Committee if 18 'ex-Marines' to face probe

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Sotto: Up to Blue Ribbon Committee if 18 'ex-Marines' to face probe

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 11, 2026 10:15 PM PHT

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Senate

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee

Vicente Sotto

18 marines

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