Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Former supposed employees and bagmen of ex-Ako Bicol Party List Representative Zaldy Co stood by their claim that Senators Mark Villar and Francis “Chiz” Escudero allegedly received suitcases containing cash. </p><p>In a press conference in the Senate on Monday, Attorney Levito Baligod said his clients were not able to discuss this during the June 4 hearing of the Cayetano bloc because no one asked them about it.</p><p>“Kami, Orbillo, Bobares at iba pa, kasama si John Paul Estrada at Zaldy Co ay nagdeliver ng pitong medium sized maleta kay dating Senator at DPWH Secretary Mark Villar noong 2022 sa kanyang bahay sa Portofino South, Daanghari, Las Piñas,” Baligod claimed, quoting his clients.</p><p>The men, however, did not see Villar actually receive the suitcases.</p><p>Escudero also allegedly received deliveries.</p><p>“Nagbigay sila ng mga pictures, no? Na doon mismo sa bahay ni Senator Chiz,” Baligod claimed.</p><p>A mistake was reportedly made, though, on Senator Loren Legarda. </p><p>Baligod said that his clients did not see suitcases being brought inside the lawmaker’s house.</p><p>“Hindi nila nakita,” Baligod said. “Parang sandali lang daw pumasok si kuwan eh, si Zaldy. Pagpasok niya naisara daw yung gate so pati si Mark Ticsay naiwan sa labas.”  </p><p>“Ang sabi nila, ‘Sir, malamang isinikay ni Mark Ticsay sa sasakyan ni boss Zaldy’,” he claimed.</p><p>Ticsay is a supposed executive assistant of Co.</p><p>Baligod, meanwhile, insisted that ML Party List Representative Leila de Lima received suitcases containing money.</p><p>“Ang sabi sa akin, ‘Atty. bakit nasama si Leila de Lima sa listahan ng mga Congress members na hindi naman siya miyembro ng Kongreso noon?’”Baligod noted.</p><p>“Ang explanation nila sa akin ay, ‘Sir, nung ginagawa kasi natin itong affidavit bandang February, ay Congresswoman na si Leila de Lima. And out of respect, we addressed her as Congresswoman Leila de Lima.’ At ako naman ay isinama ko nga siya doon sa listahan ng mga Congress members. But that is a peripheral issue. The central issue is did she receive or not? And mine-maintain nila na nakatanggap sila,” Baligod explained.</p><p>De Lima has denied the allegation.</p><p>ABS-CBN News has reached out to Villar, Escudero, and Legarda regarding the allegations.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1021795796955595%2F&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;border-image:initial;overflow:hidden;--darkreader-inline-border-top:0px;--darkreader-inline-border-right:0px;--darkreader-inline-border-bottom:0px;--darkreader-inline-border-left:0px" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" data-darkreader-inline-border-top="" data-darkreader-inline-border-right="" data-darkreader-inline-border-bottom="" data-darkreader-inline-border-left=""></iframe></div><div><a class="fr-strong" 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>Former supposed employees and bagmen of ex-Ako Bicol Party List Representative Zaldy Co stood by their claim that Senators Mark Villar and Francis “Chiz” Escudero allegedly received suitcases containing cash.</p>

Former supposed employees and bagmen of ex-Ako Bicol Party List Representative Zaldy Co stood by their claim that Senators Mark Villar and Francis “Chiz” Escudero allegedly received suitcases containing cash.

Baligod insists suitcases delivered to Villar, Escudero; absolves Legarda

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Baligod insists suitcases delivered to Villar, Escudero; absolves Legarda

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 08, 2026 04:28 PM PHT

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Updated June 08, 2026 07:26 PM PHT

Read More:

Mark Villar

Chiz Escudero

Loren Legarda

Leila De Lima

Levito Baligod

flood control scandal

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