Marilyn Cahatol

Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, and Rodante Marcoleta, push through with their scheduled Blue Ribbon Committee hearing featuring 18 Marines and their legal counsel as resource persons at the Senate plenary hall in Pasay City on June 4, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

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/178090998963020260604-senate-cayetano-bloc-blue-ribbon-MT-3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, and Rodante Marcoleta, push through with their scheduled Blue Ribbon Committee hearing featuring 18 Marines and their legal counsel as resource persons at the Senate plenary hall in Pasay City on June 4, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, and Rodante Marcoleta, push through with their scheduled Blue Ribbon Committee hearing featuring 18 Marines and their legal counsel as resource persons at the Senate plenary hall in Pasay City on June 4, 2026. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The 18 former staff and bodyguards of former congressman Zaldy Co will appear before the Office of the Ombudsman as various investigating bodies continue their probe into their allegations that government officials and other private individuals received suitcases containing money supposedly from flood control funds. </p><p>According to Atty. Levito Baligod, lawyer of the 18 individuals, they received a summons from the Ombudsman in relation to the complaint-affidavit they filed against those who supposedly received money from Co. </p><p>Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano confirmed the schedule of the summons.</p><p>“We have been regularly interviewing them even before. It’s part of the effort of the office not to leave any stone unturned. We will go where the evidence takes us,” Clavano said.</p><p>Baligod and the 18 attended the continuation of the preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice on the cyberlibel and other complaints filed by former senator Antonio Trillanes and others.</p><p>“Pero recently nakatanggap ako ng tawag galing sa Ombudsman humingi sila sa akin ng schedule kung kailan maaring pumunta ang mga sundalo doon at mayroon na kaming schedule mag-umpisa sa June 11, 15, 16 onwards na,” Baligod said. </p><p>Baligod said the 18 individuals will reveal all pictures and videos they have on the alleged payoffs supposedly in connection with the investigation of the International Criminal Court.</p><p>“Doon sa Ombudsman investigation, iyon ang medyo proper, iisa-isahin iyan, merong panel of investigators so doon nila ibibigay lahat, pictures, videos, doon lahat,” Baligod said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/8/erwin-tulfo-resumes-probe-into-flood-control-mess-amid-blue-ribbon-dispute-0912">&#x27;Ex-Co bodyguards&#x27; skip Tulfo-led flood control probe, show up at Padilla&#x27;s office</a></div><p>Baligod also reiterated his dismay over the continuation of the investigation of the National Bureau of Investigation led by Director Melvin Matibag.</p><p>The NBI was initially tasked by the Ombudsman to conduct an identity verification on the 18 individuals. </p><p>“Pinapa-appear niya kami sa June 10, ang purpose niya, identity verification na naman eh naka-tatlong beses na iyon eh so pinapagod niya kami eh pero me separate imbitasyon kami sa Ombudsman eh, palagay ko itong si Melvin Matibag pumapapel na lang,” Baligod said.</p><p>During the preliminary investigation at the DOJ, Baligod said Trillanes and the other complainants filed their reply affidavits.</p><p>“Ang sinasabi ay doon sa affidavit namin, nila pala, ilang beses nag-deliver let’s say kay Sonny Trillanes pero nung in-interview sila ng SMNI nadagdagan pero iyon kasi ang sinasabi namin sa affidavit na initial lang iyon at iyong lahat ng detalye na alam sana nila ay ilalahad lamang sa isang imbestigasyon. Maliwanag naman iyon pero dahil wala naman imbestigasyon na ginawa ang Ombudsman so unti-unti na lang naming inilalabas,” Baligod said.</p><p>Baligod also said the criticism against his 18 clients who apparently continue to change their statements following the withdrawal of allegations against Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima and Senator Loren Legarda will not affect their chances of having the cyberlibel complaints dismissed by the DOJ.</p><p>“Iyong cyberlibel iyong in-attach nila na posts, wala roon nag-post ni isa sa amin eh, how can we be charged cyberlibel?” Baligod asked.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/8/tulfo-ex-marines-bagmen-libel-1553">Tulfo to sue 18 ‘bagmen’ for libel</a></div><p>On the libel case filed by Senator Erwin Tulfo against the 18, Baligod said the lawmaker is just exercising his right.</p><p>&quot;Karapatan naman nila iyon, in fact, sabi ko nga, iyong nasabi namin, hindi pa iyon ang buong ginawa niyam, marami pa,&quot; he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>— With a report from Kaxandra Salonga, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XUp3FEax0s4?si=P9JnD2UL5oj9TbDx" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The 18 former staff and bodyguards of former congressman Zaldy Co will appear before the Office of the Ombudsman as various investigating bodies continue their probe into their allegations that government officials and other private individuals received money supposedly from flood control funds.</p>

The 18 former staff and bodyguards of former congressman Zaldy Co will appear before the Office of the Ombudsman as various investigating bodies continue their probe into their allegations that government officials and other private individuals received money supposedly from flood control funds.

18 ex-staff of Zaldy Co to tell all in Ombudsman probe, lawyer says

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

18 ex-staff of Zaldy Co to tell all in Ombudsman probe, lawyer says

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 08, 2026 05:17 PM PHT

|

Updated June 08, 2026 06:31 PM PHT

Read More:

flood control

Ombudsman

ex-bodyguards

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.