Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Eighteen ex-Marines testify at a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the flood control controversy, which was called by the Cayetano bloc on June 4, 2026. The Marines claimed that they were once assigned to the security detail of former House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Zaldy Co and were instructed to deliver money to certain politicians.   Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

SENATE -CAYETANO BLOC- BLUE RIBBON

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee under the bloc led by acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has invited the alleged the 18 men who claim to have delivered kickbacks to politicians and personalities related to flood-control projects to its hearing on Monday, June 8.</p><p>In a memorandum signed by committee chair Sen. Erwin Tulfo, the panel requested the presence of lawyer Levito Baligod and the 18 former military men.</p><p>The hearing forms part of the committee&#x27;s motu proprio inquiry into allegations surrounding the &quot;Philippines Under Water&quot; controversy, which spotlights alleged anomalies in the flood-control projects.</p><p>The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Senate Session Hall in Pasay City.</p><p>The invitation follows the June 4 proceedings conducted by the group of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, despite objections from the Gatchalian-led bloc, which had earlier announced the postponement of the hearing and named Tulfo the new Blue Ribbon chair.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/4/sotto-denies-kickback-allegations-bared-during-cayetano-led-hearing-1358">Sotto denies kickback allegations bared during Cayetano-led hearing</a></div><p>During that hearing, the alleged bagmen of former House appropriations committee chair Zaldy Co testified that they had delivered suitcases and paper bags containing cash to various politicians and government officials. </p><p>Several high-profile personalities were named during the proceedings including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Sen. Erwin Tulfo, Sen. Tito Sotto, Rep. Leila De Lima, Rep. Gerville Luistro.</p><p>They have denied the allegations.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/4/sotto-says-cayetano-bloc-s-hearing-unofficial-unauthorized-1210">Sotto says Cayetano bloc&#x27;s hearing &#x27;unofficial, unauthorized&#x27;</a></div><p>The Gatchalian bloc denounced the Cayetano proceedings as &quot;bogus,&quot; &quot;unauthorized,&quot; and lacking official sanction following the reorganization of Senate committees and leadership earlier this week.</p><p>The National Bureau of Investigation on Thursday said it had received information that the group represented by Baligod were allegedly bribed for their testimony. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/4/nbi-probing-alleged-bribe-for-ex-marines-1214">NBI probing alleged bribe for ‘ex-Marines’</a></div>

<p>The Blue Ribbon Committee of the Gatchalian bloc has invited the 18 alleged marines to attend the flood-control hearing on Monday, June 8.</p>

The Blue Ribbon Committee of the Gatchalian bloc has invited the 18 alleged marines to attend the flood-control hearing on Monday, June 8.

Gatchalian bloc Blue Ribbon Committee invites 18 alleged bagmen to June 8 hearing

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Gatchalian bloc Blue Ribbon Committee invites 18 alleged bagmen to June 8 hearing

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 05, 2026 02:03 PM PHT

Read More:

Flood control

Sherwin Gatchalian

Ex marines

Flood conrtrol

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