Dennis Gasgonia

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MANILA - Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said over the weekend that the cash-suitcase allegations against him collapse under scrutiny because the supposed timeline does not match his status in the House. He added that the allegations also do not match the timing of flood-control controversies or the security systems inside the House of Representatives.Alonto Adiong made the statement while explaining the reasons he filed libel and cyberlibel complaints against the 18 bagmen identified in reports as former bodyguards of former congressman Zaldy Co over claims that lawmakers received cash-filled luggage.  <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/10/18-ex-bagmen-baligod-face-more-criminal-complaints-1621">18 &#x27;ex-bagmen&#x27;, Baligod face more criminal complaints</a></div>“Matagal na yun eh,” Alonto Adiong said in an interview on PRTV Prime Media.“Pero ako nung lumabas ‘yung pangalan ko doon matagal na, a couple of months ago, hindi ko lang pinansin eh.”The congressman is serving as the lead trial and prosecution spokesperson for the House of Representatives for the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.Alonto Adiong said the claim that he supposedly received money in 2023 made no sense because he had only been elected in 2022 and did not yet hold influence in the House.“Sabi ko bakit unang-una ‘yung sinasabi nila doon 2023 daw ako nabigyan, sabi ko I was practically a nobody in the House kasi I got elected in 2022 wala pa nga akong chairmanship noon eh,” he said. “Kung baga practical na nobody, so ano yung utang na loob sa akin ni Zaldy (Co) para bigyan niya ako ng maleta and the Quad (Comm) started in late 2024.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/26/ph-marine-corps-slams-opportunistic-group-amid-bagmen-claims-1734">PH Marine Corps slams ‘opportunistic’ group amid &#x27;bagmen&#x27; claims </a> </div>Alonto Adiong said the timeline itself weakens the allegation.“So kung titingnan mo hindi magkatugma eh,” he said. Alonto Adiong said he decided to take legal action because people should not be allowed to accuse public officials without evidence and without facing legal consequences.“Napag-isipan ko sabi ko hindi, bigyan ng leksyon ‘tong mga to kasi hindi puwede you cannot just go around and then accuse anybody without facing the consequences of your action,” he said. Alonto Adiong also pointed to alleged inconsistencies in the list of people being accused, saying some names appeared only after they became politically relevant.“Klaro ‘yun e kasi may listahan doon halimbawa si Terry Ridon una, wala siya doon ‘yung original ibig kong sabihin nung unang lumabas kasi iyan kailan ba a couple of months ago, nung unang lumabas iyan si Terry Ridon wala tapos biglang nagkaroon ng Terry doon,” he said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/8/tulfo-ex-marines-bagmen-libel-1553">Tulfo sues 3 of 18 ‘bagmen’ for defamation</a></div>“Eh sabi ko anong connection ni Terry Ridon kay Zaldy na para bibigyan siya doon eh hindi naman siya congressman nung time na ‘yun,” he added. Alonto Adiong said the inclusion of Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima was also questionable because she was detained at the time being suggested.“Si Congresswoman Leila De Lima nakakulong pa,” he said. He said the alleged 2023 payoff also does not align with the timeline of the supposed flood-control kickback issue.“Kung babalikan natin kasi meron talagang issue doon sa flood control kaya nga nagkaroon ng independent flood control nung 2023, nagkaroon lang is 2024, saan kinuha ni Zaldy ‘yung 2023 na kumuha siya ng flood control kickback,” he said. “Eh started the supposed kickback started in 2025 GAA. Eh this one it happened in 2023 eh saan niya kinuha iyon.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/8/tulfo-scores-cayetano-for-coaching-18-bagmen-warns-vs-scripture-quoting-devil-1245">Raffy Tulfo scores Cayetano bloc for &#x27;coaching&#x27; 18 ‘bagmen’, warns vs scripture-quoting &#x27;devil&#x27; </a> </div>Alonto Adiong said the allegation deserves serious attention because it damages reputations without proof and supposedly involves a delivery at the House, a building covered by security cameras. “Serious allegation to ha, kaya dapat talaga bigyan ng serious na attention. Kasi reputation, wala kang ebidensya, tsaka sinabi pa dineliver daw sa akin sa House, sa House of Representatives ang ganda noon ha, daming CCTV para alam ko anong taon yan, ano oras iyan,” Alonto Adiong said.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the claim that he supposedly received money in 2023 made no sense because he had only been elected in 2022.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the claim that he supposedly received money in 2023 made no sense because he had only been elected in 2022.

Flood-control cash allegations don't match timeline, lawmaker says

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Flood-control cash allegations don't match timeline, lawmaker says

ABS-CBN News

Published June 21, 2026 05:20 PM PHT

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18 bagmen

Zaldy Co

Maleta

Zia Alonto Adiong

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