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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Nandadamay lang': Ex-Makabayan solons call out 'pro-Duterte' bagmen for linking them to payoffs

'Nandadamay lang': Ex-Makabayan solons call out 'pro-Duterte' bagmen for linking them to payoffs

Published Jun 4, 2026 11:31 pm
Former Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, former Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel, and former ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro (PPAB, Facebook)
Former Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, former Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel, and former ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro (PPAB, Facebook)


The three ex-Makabayan solons didn't let pass the slanderous claims hurled against them by the 18 Marine-bagmen who rattled off on Thursday, June 4 the names of alleged payoff recipients from the flood control projects corruption scandal.
Among those tagged by the ex-soldiers during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing were former Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, former Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel, and former ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro.
For the trio, the payoff claim against the personalities who were predominantly Duterte family crtiics reeked of a "desperate act of political demolition".
"Ang pag-atakeng ito sa mga mambabatas at aktibistang bahagi ng impeachment ay isang sistematikong pagtatangka na gibain ang kredibilidad ng sinumang nangangahas na panagutin ang pamilyang Duterte," the ex-solons said in a joint statement after the hearing.
(This attack on lawmakers and activists involved in the impeachment is a systematic attempt to destroy the credibility of anyone who dares hold the Duterte family accountable.)
"Mariin at lubusan naming pinabubulaanan ang mga paratang na ito. Ang buong kwento—na kami raw ay madalas nakikipagkita kay Zaldy Co at umaalis na may dalang mga paper bag—ay isang nakakahiyang kasinungalingan. Walang katotohanan at walang batayan ang ganitong mga akusasyon," they underscored.
(We strongly and completely deny these allegations. The entire story—that we supposedly often met with Zaldy Co and left carrying paper bags—is a shameful lie. These accusations have no truth and no basis.)
Co is a contractor-turned-congressman who has been tagged as a key personality in the flood control projects mess. He resigned as a House member in late September 2025.
"All they have are conjectures, vague insinuations and outright lies, because they have no evidence of any wrongdoing by Makabayan. Anyone can produce a photo and make an outrageous claim, but these so-called witnesses have failed to present an iota of evidence that will hold up in any court," the ex-House members said of the bagmen, who attended the hearing with their counsel, lawyer Levi Baligod.
"Nandadamay lang para sa kanilang pro-Duterte agenda (They're just accusing people for their pro-Duterte agenda). Our record of principled service and integrity, in and out of Congress, is untarnished by such desperate lies," they said.
They argued that the Makabayan simply cannot be involved in the flood control scam because "We have no infrastructure projects nominated by our offices."
"Wala kaming projects, allocables or infrastructure insertions sa pangalan namin. Wala kaming matatanggap na anumang kickback dahil wala naman kaming proyekto," they said.
(We have no projects, allocables, or infrastructure insertions under our names. We cannot receive any kickbacks because we have no projects.)
The militant leaders said the timing of the attack was "not coincidental".
"Inilulunsad ito habang papalapit ang mga impeachment trial laban kay [Vice President] Sara Duterte at habang nagpapatuloy ang paglilitis ng ICC (International Criminal Court) kay Rodrigo Duterte para sa crimes against humanity.
(This is being launched as the impeachment trials against Sara Duterte approach and while the ICC continues proceedings against Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity.)
"This is a classic, desperate diversion," they stressed.
"Kapag naipit na sa sariling mga krimen at katiwalian, ang tugon ng mga Duterte at ng kanilang mga alyado ay ang gumawar ng mga kwento at atakehin ang mga nagrereklamo," they further said.
(When cornered by their own crimes and corruption, the response of the Dutertes and their allies is to invent stories and attack those who complain.)

Related Tags

Makabayan 18 marines Rodrigo Duterte Sara Duterte flood control projects Senate Blue Ribbon Committee
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