Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Marilyn Cahatol

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/178089316783420260119-senate-probe-flood-control-curlee-discaya-JC9558 (13).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Sen. Raffy Tulfo on Monday slammed the Cayetano bloc for allegedly “coaching” the 18 “bagmen” as they testified before the Blue Ribbon “hearing” held Thursday last week. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Sen. Raffy Tulfo on Monday slammed the Cayetano bloc for allegedly “coaching” the 18 “bagmen” as they testified before the Blue Ribbon “hearing” held Thursday last week. </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">Tulfo resumes probe into flood control mess amid Blue Ribbon dispute</a></div><p>“It seems that some of the information from these 18 kargador are fed. They have a hard time telling their stories on their own. Kung papanooorin mo ang live selling nila noong Huwebes, hirap silang ikwento ang kanilang naratibo,” Tulfo said during the Monday resumption of the Blue Ribbon panel led by senators allied with Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.</p><p>“The presiding officers of that conference were coaching and leading the resource persons. Pag medyo nagkakamali, syempre inaayos ng mga presiding officers ang testimonya,” he added. </p><p>The 18 individuals claiming to be former Marines were main characters of the Thursday Blue Ribbon proceeding led by Sens. Alan Peter Cayetano and Rodante Marcoleta, and attended by Sens. Loren Legarda, Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, and Robin Padilla. </p><p>The supposed witnesses alleged that they delivered kickbacks from flood control projects to several politicians, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Sens. Vicente Sotto III and Erwin Tulfo, Rep. Leila de Lima and former House members of the Makabayan bloc, as well as Fr. Flavie Villanueva. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/5/no-svd-church-matches-claims-of-ex-marine-groups-say-0040">No SVD church matches claims of &#x27;ex-Marine‘, groups say</a></div><p>Tulfo underscored inconsistencies in their testimonies, including the disappearance of the names of Legarda and Sen. Mark Villar, another Cayetano ally, on their list of politicians who allegedly received kickbacks as seen from previous documents.</p><p>Tulfo also questioned how the 18 “bagmen’s” legal counsel Levito Baligod, who he said “had no personal knowledge” of the issue, also testified during the hearing. </p><p>The senator said: “We cannot simply bring in people sa Blue Ribbon Committee na nag-aakusa ng mga mabibigat na mga paratang na hindi man lang nalalaman kung karapat-dapat ba sila paniwalaan kasi simula simula pa lamang na tinawag silang 18 Marines, may panlilinlang na agad.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/7/duterte-coalition-backs-bagmen-s-testimonies-cayetano-1710">Duterte coalition backs bagmen&#x27;s testimonies, Cayetano</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘THE DEVIL CAN CITE SCRIPTURE FOR HIS PURPOSE’</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Tulfo further warned the public against believing claims of those who cite the scripture for personal gain, likening them to Satan who cited the scripture to tempt Jesus. </p><p>“Remember, the devil can cite the scripture for his purpose,” Tulfo said. </p><p>“Wag po tayong magpapadala sa mga mabubulaklak na pananalita dahil lang siya ay nagbabasa ng bibliya. Wag po tayo bastang maniniwala dahil binansagang bayani o Marines ang 18 na kargador,” he said. </p><p>“Buksan po natin ang ating mga mata, tenga at utak. Wag po tayong magpapadala sa mga live selling nila,” he added. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘NOT MARINES’</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The 18 self-proclaimed former Marines first emerged on February 24, assisted by their legal counsel Baligod and former lawmaker Mike Defensor.   </p><p>National Bureau of Investigation director Melvin Matibag on Monday clarified that only three of the 18 honorably retired, while 12 were either dishonorably discharged or never part of the Marines. </p><p>“Karamihan pa dito ay mayroong mga naging kaso at mayroong isa na may patuloy pang dinidinig na kaso,” he said. </p><p>“Mayroon po dito, 10 buwan lang nagserbisyo sa Marines, nag-AWOL (absence without official leave) na po,” he added. </p><p>The director noted that the &quot;Marines&quot; title “creates a misleading presumption of integrity,” adding that a court relies on evidence and not on labels. </p><p>The group was allegedly formed November last year, said Matibag, adding that Baligod approached Johnny Buduan, one of those dishonorably discharged from the Marines, who then recruited the rest. </p><p>“Please take note na hindi po sila ang lumapit kay Atty. Baligod, kundi si Atty. Baligod lumapit kay Buduan at si Buduan ang nag-recruit ng mga sasama po rito,” he said. </p><p>“Tapos may umamin din na nagbibigay ng pera, parang allowance, si Atty. Baligod,” Matibag said, noting that the act was a violation of lawyers’ Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/7/more-raps-loom-vs-18-bagmen-over-flood-control-claims-1241">More raps loom vs 18 &#x27;bagmen&#x27; over flood control claims</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>WATCH:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5cEWsq_Le58?si=V1wGxILNAJuSAhcc" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Sen. Raffy Tulfo on Monday slammed the Cayetano bloc for allegedly “coaching” the 18 “bagmen” as they testified before the Blue Ribbon “hearing” held Thursday last week.</p>

Sen. Raffy Tulfo on Monday slammed the Cayetano bloc for allegedly “coaching” the 18 “bagmen” as they testified before the Blue Ribbon “hearing” held Thursday last week.

Raffy Tulfo scores Cayetano bloc for 'coaching' 18 ‘bagmen’, warns vs scripture-quoting 'devil'

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Raffy Tulfo scores Cayetano bloc for 'coaching' 18 ‘bagmen’, warns vs scripture-quoting 'devil'

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 08, 2026 12:45 PM PHT

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Updated June 08, 2026 12:46 PM PHT

Read More:

Blue Ribbon

Raffy Tulfo

Alan Peter Cayetano

Senate

flood control

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