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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ombudsman Remulla: Delivery of money by 'ex-Marines' started during Duterte's administration

Ombudsman Remulla: Delivery of money by 'ex-Marines' started during Duterte's administration

Published Mar 13, 2026 05:32 pm
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday, March 13, said the delivery of money by the 18 former “Marines” who served as bagmen of resigned congressman Zaldy Co started during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
In a press briefing, Remulla said the cash deliveries already started during the previous administration, although the former “Marines” name dropped individuals from the current administration such as President Marcos and former House speaker Martin Romualdez.
"Supposedly the joint affidavit of the 18 ‘Marines’ pointed to a delivery to one of the congress persons," said Remulla. "But when we investigated that angle, it appears that this delivery was done during the time of then speaker Lord Allan Velasco," he said.
He added that the former “Marines” were "playing with timelines," but a "very reliable person" has confirmed to him that cash deliveries were already taking place before 2022.
He also said: "What you see here is really a manipulation of facts to make it appear that that was that. But actually, they were playing with timelines and this is one timeline that they played with that happened before the term of President Marcos. Some of them, at least one picture that was used in the affidavit, would show us that it was done during the time of Lord Velasco as speaker of the House. At least just one of them."
At the same time, Remulla said that his office has sked the 18 former “Marines” to submit individual affidavits, as it is important to get each of their sides instead of one joint affidavit.
Since they are making serious allegations, Remulla stressed that general statements will not suffice and the former “Marines” have to narrate who among them actually made the deliveries or when each one of them was present.
The former “Marines,” represented by their lawyer Levi Baligod, filed last February before the Office of the Ombudsman their joint affidavit regarding the "millions" they delivered to several government officials.
Baligod earlier said in an interview after the filing that they want the government officials named to be charged with violations of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and RA 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
The basis of the affidavit, Baligod explained, stemmed from the "millions" the government officials received that were not indicated in their statements of assets liability and net worth (SALNs).
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