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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ombudsman summons 18 bagmen of fugitive Zaldy Co

Ombudsman summons 18 bagmen of fugitive Zaldy Co

Published Jun 8, 2026 05:57 pm
(Courtesy: Ombudsman Facebook page)
(Courtesy: Ombudsman Facebook page)
The Office of the Ombudsman has summoned the 18 bagmen of fugitive ex-congressmen Zaldy Co in connection with their allegation of alleged delivery of huge sum of money in suitcases.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano confirmed that the 18 bagmen were summoned on June 11, 15 and 16 as part of the ongoing investigation into the flood control anomalies involving billions of pesos in taxpayers’ money.
“Yes, that’s the schedule,” said Clavano when asked to confirm the dates revealed by their lawyer Levi Baligod.
“In fact, we have been regularly interviewing them even before. It’s part of the effort of the office not to leave any stone unturned,” he added.
The Office of the Ombudsman has been conducting thorough investigations into the flood control involving senators, congressmen and other personalities.
At least two senators are still under investigation for flood control case following the filing of charges and subsequent issuance of arrest warrants against Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and former senator Bong Revilla.
The two were also jailed for a plunder case in relation to pork barrel scam.
In the Senate consultative hearing on Monday, the National Bureau of Investigation said it is investigating at least two more high-profile personalities who used dummies in hiding the alleged kickbacks from flood control.
On the other hand, the 18 bagmen alleged that they delivered money in suitcases to congressmen and senators.
For Clavano, the goal is to ferret out the truth, “We will go where the evidence takes us.”
Tell all
The 18 bagmen vowed to tell all to the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) what they know about the case deliveries.
This, despite inconsistencies and frequent changes in the statements as noted by senators in the consultative meeting on Monday.
In its latest testimony amendment, Baligod claimed that two of the 18 bagmen admitted to mistakenly included Sen. Loren Legarda to their alleged delivery of money in suitcases.
Legara earlier hailed the 18 bagmen as heroes, a description that was called out by Sen. Raffy Tulfo who pointed out inconsistencies in the testimonies.
Baligod, however, said that his clients are ready to tell all.
“Doon sa ombudsman investigation ‘yun ang medyo proper (The ombudsman investigation is the proper venue),” Baligod told reporters at the Department of Justice (DOJ).
At the Ombudsman, Baligod said the investigation will be conducted by a panel of prosecutors.
“So doon nila ibibigay lahat pati ‘yung mga pictures, videos. Doon lahat (So there they will hand over pictures, videos. Everything),” said Baligod.

Related Tags

flood control OMBUDSMAN
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