Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong is seriously considering the filing of a libel case against the 18 Marine-bagmen who have accused him of receiving cash-filled luggages or "maleta" as payoffs for anomalous flood control projects. 

Adiong's and a collection of other names of solons who were supportive of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment were mentioned by the ex-soldiers during the controversial Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Thursday, June 4.

“Nung unang lumabas ‘yan, hindi ko pinansin ‘yan kasi sabi ko sobrang kalokohan naman ‘yan. Actually, I was advised by some of my lawyers na sinabi nila mag-file na lang ako ng libel. Sabi ko sige na, wala naman katotohanan ‘yan. I brushed it off,” he said in a radio interview.

(When that first came out, I ignored it because I said it was complete nonsense.

Actually, some of my lawyers advised me to just file a libel case. I said fine, since there was no truth to it.)

But the House prosecution panel spokesperson said recent developments in the Blue Ribbon hearing have prompted him to reconsider.

“But now that they have tried to move this to another level, I think I'm now contemplating on filing them a serious charge, libel,” said Adiong.

He argued that the issue is no longer merely about individuals being accused but about the Senate being "hostaged" to advance what he described as a diversionary narrative.

“Ginagamit nila ang Senado para i-hostage ang trabaho ng Senado at the same time para ilihis ang tunay na usapin dito which is impeachment,” Adiong said.

(They are using the Senate to paralyze its work and at the same time divert the real issue here, which is impeachment.)

Under the Constitution, the House of Representatives impeaches an impeachable official, who in this case is the Vice President. The other legislative chamber, the Senate, is mandated to "forthwith" hold an impeachment trial against the official.

The House impeached Duterte for a second time in two years last May 11.

Adiong has repeatedly described the accusations as a public relations "stunt" aimed at diverting attention from the Senate impeachment trial of Duterte.

He expressed frustration that the controversy was consuming Senate time and delaying action on key Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) measures that could benefit Filipinos.

The Mindanao congressman said the implications go beyond politics because ordinary Filipinos were being affected by the delays in legislative work.

“So this is no longer personal. This is about the country not moving forward. So it's pure BS," Adiong, a House "Young Guns" bloc member, said.

Adiong also questioned why senators who had earlier refused to sign a partial report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee under then-chairman Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson were now pushing for the continuation of the flood control inquiry.

“Eh mismong ang mga Marines, ayaw naman nila mag-sign ng affidavit nila as part of the official record ng Senate. Ayaw nila dahil ayaw nilang makasuan sila ng perjury. Ayaw nila mag-perjure. Anong klase ‘yan?” Adiong asked

(Even the Marines themselves refused to sign their affidavits as part of the official Senate record. They refused because they did not want to be charged with perjury. They did not want to perjure themselves. What kind of behavior is that?) 

At any rate, the prosecution panel mouthpiece says he's prepared to personally confront the 18 former Marine officers at the Senate over their accusations.

“With or without the invitation, if 18 Marines will go there, I'm willing to waive the parliamentary courtesy. Pupunta ako. Gusto kong kaharapin sila (I will go. I want to face them),” he said.

The House trial spokesperson said he wants the bagmen to explain and substantiate their allegations about the maleta deliveries.

“I want to ask them, saan ko kinuha? Sinabi nila dineliver daw nila sa House. Eh ang daming CCTV (closed circuit television) [cameras] sa House. Anong petsa ‘yan? Anong oras ‘yan? Sinong tumanggap? Anong klaseng maleta ‘yan? Magkano ‘yan? Saan sa opisina ko?“ Adiong asked.

"Hindi ako natatakot sa mga sinungaling. Gusto ko silang kaharapin (I'm not afraid of liars. I want to face them)," he added.

Alonto Adiong said he is prepared to directly question the accusers should they appear before the Blue Ribbon panel.

“I want to ask them these straightforward questions kasi gusto ko silang kaharapin (because I want to face them). If ever na pupunta sila (If ever they will go), I am waiving my parliamentary courtesy to appear before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee at gusto kong kaharap itong mga accusers ko (and I want to face my accusers). Gusto ko silang i-test (I want to test them)," he reiterated.