MANILA – Senators on Friday raised questions over the credibility of the so-called “18 maleta boys” following reports that some of them have recanted their allegations, particularly whether those who reversed their statements were among the witnesses whose sworn accounts figured in the Ombudsman investigation involving former House speaker Martin Romualdez.
In a statement, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said reports on the recantation did not identify which members of the group had withdrawn their previous claims, leaving unanswered whether they were among the eight reportedly interviewed by the Office of the Ombudsman and whose sworn statements were submitted in connection with the case.
“Hindi maliwanag sa report (The report is not clear on) who among the 18 maleta boys had recanted. Are they part or outside of the 8 reported to have submitted their sworn statements to the Ombudsman that triggered the initiation of the preliminary investigation against former Speaker Martin Romualdez?” Lacson said.
Four members of the group have reportedly withdrawn their earlier allegations that they delivered suitcases containing money to Romualdez and other personalities.
Lacson said the latest reversal further clouds the group's credibility after their accounts allegedly changed across different proceedings and venues.
“Sa dami kasi ng flip-flopping o pabago-bagong testimonies nila sa iba’t-ibang venues, hindi na natin alam kung ano ang totoo at kung sino-sino sa kanila ang totoo at hindi (With all their flip-flopping or changing testimonies in different venues, we no longer know what is true and which among them are telling the truth),” he said.
Senator Erwin Tulfo, meanwhile, said the recantation did not come as a surprise, noting the legal complaints filed against some members of the group.
“I am not surprised. Hindi naman siguro kaliwat-kanan ang demanda nila kung totoo mga sinasabi nila. Pero salamat sa Diyos at naliwanagan ang isipan nila (They probably would not be facing cases left and right if what they were saying was true. But thank God they have seen the light),” Tulfo said in a separate statement.
Tulfo had earlier filed a grave oral defamation complaint against Rosebert Waupan, Bernard Gumban and Benny Bulontate over allegations they made against him involving supposed cash deliveries.
The Department of Justice has also approved the filing of cyberlibel and perjury charges against the 18 individuals and lawyer Levito Baligod stemming from their joint sworn statement and subsequent public allegations.
The controversy has taken on added significance after the Ombudsman initiated preliminary investigation proceedings involving Romualdez over alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
The Ombudsman has ordered Romualdez and his co-respondents to submit their counter-affidavits, allowing them to answer the accusations before the case is submitted for resolution. (PNA)
