Julia Christine Botin

Article (news)

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><br/></div><p>MANILA - Detained Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker Mike Defensor declined to comment Friday on reports that some former bodyguards of fugitive ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co had recanted their allegations in the alleged flood control kickback scheme. </p><p>Defensor previously appeared in press conferences with the former bodyguards and their lawyer, Atty. Levito Baligod, where the individuals alleged they delivered suitcases of cash to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and several lawmakers.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/5/sara-duterte-visits-marcoleta-estrada-0946"><strong>Sara Duterte visits Marcoleta, Estrada </strong></a> </div><p>Meanwhile, Marcoleta led a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing with then-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano in which the former bodyguards appeared as resource persons and accused several lawmakers of receiving kickbacks. </p><p>Marcoleta and Defensor appeared before the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Friday for the signing of the stipulation of facts in their plunder case over the alleged non-declaration of P75 million in campaign donations.</p><p>Their co-accused, businessmen Aristotle Viray and Joseph Espiritu, also attended the proceeding.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/3/marcoleta-refuses-to-enter-plea-for-raps-on-receiving-gifts-due-to-pending-sc-motion-1058"><strong>Marcoleta refuses to enter plea for raps on receiving gifts due to pending SC motion </strong></a> </div><p>Third Division Clerk of Court Atty. Dennis Pulma said the stipulation of facts expedites the proceedings by allowing both the prosecution and the defense to agree on undisputed facts that no longer need to be litigated during trial.</p><p>The court set the pretrial for Monday, Aug. 10, when both parties are expected to continue marking documentary evidence and name the witnesses they intend to present during trial.</p><div> </div>

<p>Detained Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker Mike Defensor declined to comment Friday on reports that some former aides of fugitive ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co recanted their allegations in the alleged flood control kickback scheme.</p>

Detained Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker Mike Defensor declined to comment Friday on reports that some former aides of fugitive ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co recanted their allegations in the alleged flood control kickback scheme.

Marcoleta, Defensor mum on recantation of Co’s ex-aides

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Marcoleta, Defensor mum on recantation of Co’s ex-aides

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 07, 2026 05:16 PM PHT

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Sandiganbayan

Ombudsman

Zaldy Co

Marcoleta

Ex-bodyguards

Former marines

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