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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Do the math: Lacson doubts believability of P805-B cash delivery claim

Do the math: Lacson doubts believability of P805-B cash delivery claim

Published Mar 7, 2026 04:14 pm


Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo "Ping" Lacson believes that if one does not know how to compute the truth, he should not talk about numbers.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (Senate PRIB photo)
Lacson stressed this on Saturday, March 7, so that one does not risk flunking the believability test, particularly in the case of the alleged P805-billion cash delivery scheme.
"The tale of P805B ‘maletas’: If you do not know how to compute the truth, don’t talk about numbers to quantify probabilities, or face the consequence of failing the test of believability," he said in a post on his X account.
"I am not alone in doubting the credibility of the statements attributed to the 18 'ex-Marine' personnel since many have shared my computation," he added.
The money was alleged to have been sourced from anomalous flood control projects. 
As for calls to schedule a hearing just so the 18 Marine-bagmen can "fall flat on their lies," Lacson said the Blue Ribbon panel’s hearings were intended to ferret out the truth, and not to unmask lies.
"Maybe, but maybe not. The BRC hearings are intended to expose the truth, not lies. If they will adjust the numbers within the realm of possibilities, why not?" he said in reply to a netizen who suggested that the 18 attend a hearing.
Earlier, Lacson raised questions about the logic and basic math in the claims made by lawyer Levito Baligod, who presented in a press conference last month the 18 supposed ex-soldiers involved in the alleged cash delivery scheme.
He said that aside from the logistical nightmare of moving 805 metric tons of paper cash, there is also the time factor in unloading, counting, repacking, reloading, and delivering the money. He said this would take until at least 2027, even if those involved worked 24/7.
Lacson reiterated that he was duty-bound to verify the credibility of the source and the information itself before calling a hearing, as he does not want the Blue Ribbon Committee's hearings to turn into a circus.
Last Tuesday, Lacson said he was open to meeting with Baligod in order to straighten out the facts with the testimony of 18 ex-military men regarding the alleged cash deliveries.
"For truth’s sake, without sacrificing the dignity and integrity of the Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry, I am willing to speak to Atty. Levito Baligod to reconcile the joint testimony of his 18 clients with the realm of possibilities," Lacson said.

Related Tags

Ping Lacson Senate Blue Ribbon Senate Blue Ribbon Committee LEVI BALIGOD
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