Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Kaxandra Salonga

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/1782978781751Screen Shot 2026-07-02 at 8.27.01 AM (9).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former security aides of former Congressman Zaldy Co gather during the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing at the Senate plenary hall in Pasay City on June 4, 2026. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATE)</strong> — The Office of the Ombudsman said the testimonies of eight former bodyguards of Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co will be used in the case being prepared against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.</p><p>“The investigators seem to find those narrational facts as it relates to the money being delivered to the former speaker and to Zaldy Co categorical and consistent… but as for the rest… we will not focus on that,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano told reporters.</p><p>“The investigators have been able to study the body language, the demeanor of the affiance, and they are of the opinion that we can use it,” he added.</p><p>Asked why the office would consider only the affidavits of the eight individuals, Clavano said the other former bodyguards did not have firsthand knowledge of the actual delivery of the money.</p><div> </div><div><strong>DELAYED SIGNATURE</strong></div><div> </div><p>However, Clavano said the office is still waiting for Levito Baligod, counsel for the eight individuals, to sign their affidavits. He said the affidavits must be signed before their accounts can be used in the case.</p><p>“They asked for a week extension. June 20 pa sana napirmahan kasi that was the time na nandito sila na kumpleto na yung walo, pero hanggang ngayon hindi pa napipirmahan,” Clavano said.</p><p>“He seems to be delaying the signatures of the 18 Marines. That&#x27;s one of the things that is delaying the case also against former speaker,” he added.</p><p>Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said the office will also use the testimony of former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan in the conspiracy to defraud the treasury master case against Romualdez.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6g5u8TDOzCM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said investigators found the former bodyguards’ accounts of the alleged cash deliveries to Romualdez to be “consistent and categorical.”</p>

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said investigators found the former bodyguards’ accounts of the alleged cash deliveries to Romualdez to be “consistent and categorical.”

Ombudsman to use testimonies of 8 ex-Co bodyguards in case vs Romualdez

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Ombudsman to use testimonies of 8 ex-Co bodyguards in case vs Romualdez

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 02, 2026 03:56 PM PHT

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Updated July 02, 2026 04:32 PM PHT

Read More:

Ombudsman

martin romualdez

zaldy co

corruption

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