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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'It's all BS': Sandro Marcos has nothing but disdain for 18 ex-soldiers and their 'maleta' claims

'It's all BS': Sandro Marcos has nothing but disdain for 18 ex-soldiers and their 'maleta' claims

Published Jun 17, 2026 12:49 pm  |  Updated Jun 17, 2026 02:16 pm

At A Glance

  • Majority Leader Sandro Marcos has dismissed the 18 ex-Marines as "fake", rejecting their payoff allegations as baseless.
  • He has criticized their press conference that dragged Senator Escudero's name, calling the claims "BS" and not worth dignifying.
  • Marcos says filing charges would only give them publicity.
House Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos (Contributed photo)
House Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos (Contributed photo)


House Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos has expressed utter disdain toward the so-called 18 Marine-bagmen, calling them "fake" and not even worth his time.
Speaking in a chance interview with House reporters, Rep. Marcos couldn't even stomach calling the 18 Marines as "Marines".
"We don't dignify the testimonies of those fake Marines or actually bodyguards na lang ang itawag natin sa kanila (actually let's just call them bodyguards)," the presidential son said.
The 18 ex-soldiers claim to be former bodyguards of resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co--a key figure in the flood control projects corruption scandal.
These past few months, these men have repeated claims of delivering cash luggages ("maletas") containing millions worth of payoffs to President Marcos and a handful of pro-administration lawmakers and those who supported the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Rep. Marcos haven't been spared from these payoff allegations, which he described as baloney.
The majority leader pointed to the bodyguards' impromptu press conference Tuesday in Mandaluyong City, wherein they suddenly brought up the name of Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero. They said they transported four suitcases to a residence in New Manila that was pueportedly owned by Escudero.
"Nakita mo nga kahapon biglang sumali si Senator Escudero biglang siya may maleta. Pati si Mary Grace Piattos susunod na hearing baka yan may maleta din.
(You saw yesterday that Senator Escudero was suddenly brought up and he suddenly had a suitcase. Even Mary Grace Piattos, at the next hearing, maybe she will have a suitcase too.)
"So let's you know, let's call a spade a spade. It's all BS," Rep. Marcos underscored.
Escudero was instrumental to the installation of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President Pro Tempore last June 3. As of Wednesday's special session, Gatchalian had formally taken on the role of Senate President.
With Gatchalian's ascension, the Senate impeachment trial against Duterte is expected to proceed without a hitch.
So, would Rep. Marcos consider filing charges against these bodyguards over their "BS" claims? The Ilocano questioned the value of such move.
"Is it really worth it? is it really worth it? Sa totoo lang, tapos bibigyan pa sila ng publicity? Huwag na (Truly, you'll only give them publicity. I wouldn't bother)," he said.
"It's really not [worth it]. We're here to finish a lot of work that's a lot more important than those who are planning destab efforts against the government. Ituloy na lang natin yung trabaho natin (Let's just continue working instead)," Rep. Marcos added.

Related Tags

Sandro Marcos 18 marines Maleta Chiz Escudero flood control project Zaldy Co
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