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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Año to pursue legal offensive, vows to unmask motive behind allegations of ex-Marines

Año to pursue legal offensive, vows to unmask motive behind allegations of ex-Marines

Published Feb 26, 2026 02:55 pm
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año (Photo: National Security Council)
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año (Photo: National Security Council)
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año vowed to pursue a legal offensive against all those behind the allegations that he received a huge sum of money after a meeting with fugitive ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Año was referring to the allegation made by 18 former members of the Philippine Marines of the supposed delivery of P805 billion to various government officials that include President Marcos and Romualdez.
The allegations appeared to have supported the claims of former Marine Orly Guteza who went into hiding after implicating Romualdez in a Senate hearing.
“I categorically reject and denounce the malicious, unsigned affidavit purportedly from eighteen ex-Marines accusing me of receiving a paper bag after a meeting at the Polo Club townhouse,” said Año in a statement.
He said he never attended any meeting with former Romualdez, Co and Rep. Leila De Lima in the Polo Club townhouse or in any other location.
“These claims are entirely false and fabricated,” he stressed.
The military earlier said that four of the 18 people who raised the allegation were never part of the Marine Corps while most of them are dishonorably discharged from the service.
Netizens also pointed out inconsistencies in the claims of the 18 alleged former Marines, one of them was the supposed delivery of money to de Lima at a time when she was still in jail.
Malacañang, for its part, branded the allegation as a lousy script meant to divert the attention away from the ongoing hearings at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Año, said he will not allow any people to smear his reputation using fabricated and bogus claims, “My legal team is prepared to take all necessary actions."
He said they are now conducting an investigation to determine if the press conference is part of the broader effort to undermine or destabilize government institutions.
“We’ll look into that aspect considering the confluence of events, the inconsistencies in the stories of the ex-Marines targeting officials in key institutions,” said Año.
“I urge the public to be discerning and not be swayed by misinformation. Rest assured, the government will continue to address legitimate concerns through proper channels and uphold the rule of law at all times,” he added.
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