Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez on Thursday questioned why 18 former Marines suddenly included him among the lawmakers who allegedly received money from former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.
Alvarez went to the Senate to confront or clarify the allegation, but failed to speak with the former Marines as they had already left before he arrived.
He surmised that his name was dragged into the controversy because he had refused to endorse an impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which was allegedly brought to him through a representative of former Rep. Mike Defensor.
Alvarez said a certain Margarette sent him a text message claiming to represent Defensor and forwarded him a copy of the impeachment complaint against the President.
He denied receiving money from Co or accepting suitcases filled with cash.
Defensor and several individuals attempted to file an impeachment complaint against Marcos before the House of Representatives early this year, but it was not received because House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil was not around at the time.
Defensor and his group did not return to the House to file the complaint.