Alleged former security aides of ex-congressman Zaldy Co rehashed corruption allegations during a June 16, 2026 event in Mandaluyong City that was billed as a Senate hearing but became a press briefing.
The event took place at Doublegem EDSA Garden Events Palace along EDSA. Former congressman Mike Defensor moderated and claimed it had been scheduled as a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing but did not proceed due to a misunderstanding among allies in the Senate.
Senator Erwin Tulfo, the recognized chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, stated that the hearing announced by Defensor was unauthorized. The audience consisted mainly of vloggers and supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who outnumbered mainstream media.
The alleged aides accused senators Chiz Escudero and Kiko Pangilinan, as well as Commission on Elections Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, of receiving kickbacks. Pangilinan denied the claims, calling them insinuations and a show, while Garcia highlighted inconsistencies in the testimonies.
Additional accusations targeted the Marcos family and other senators. Garcia and Pangilinan rejected the allegations.
