The 18 alleged bagmen of former lawmaker Zaldy Co stood by their claims that Senators Mark Villar and Francis Escudero received suitcases of dirty money.
At a press conference in the office of Senator Robinhood Padilla, their lawyer Levito Baligod read from the affidavit stating that in 2022 they delivered seven medium-sized suitcases to Villar’s residence in Portofino South, Daanghari, Las Piñas. They also provided photos of Escudero’s house as evidence. Baligod said the group is willing to face the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee but is worried because the panel is chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo whom they implicated in the scheme. They did not mention the deliveries to Villar and Escudero at the June 4 hearing because senators did not ask about it. The men appeared before the Department of Justice for the continuation of the preliminary investigation. Baligod said the Ombudsman has reached out about upcoming hearings related to their affidavits.
