Senators questioned the credibility and motives of lawyer Levito Baligod and the 18 so-called “maleta boys” after the group skipped the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s organizational meeting on Monday despite being inside the Senate premises.
The group had been invited to attend the committee’s consultative meeting and organizational briefing, where government agencies were asked to provide updates on investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
However, Blue Ribbon officials said they received no formal response from Baligod or the 18 men explaining why they did not attend.
During the meeting, Blue Ribbon chair Sen. Erwin Tulfo said the committee was informed that Baligod and the group were already at the Senate but chose to stay at another office and hold a separate press conference while the meeting was ongoing.
“And then kumambiyo naman po si Atty. Baligod, sabi naman po ayaw niyang bumaba dahil baka raw sila ma-cite in contempt ng committee na ito dahil umano na iisipin natin na nagsisinungaling sila,” Tulfo said.
Tulfo said their decision to appear at the Senate but avoid the committee raised questions on their credibility and intent.
“Well, it makes us question their credibility and their motive. They went here in the Senate but they do not want to attend our committee meeting,” he said.
At the separate press conference, Baligod said the group wanted to attend the meeting but feared they might be detained if cited in contempt. He said they would appear before the committee if Tulfo inhibits himself from presiding over the proceedings.
Baligod also acknowledged that the group made a mistake when they initially named Sen. Loren Legarda as among those who allegedly received cash-filled suitcases from former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, based on their first affidavit submitted to the National Bureau of Investigation.
He said Legarda may file perjury complaints against them, although a corrected sworn affidavit has yet to be submitted.
Baligod further claimed that 14 more alleged former employees of Co could corroborate the statements of the 18 men. He said seven others may also be presented depending on the circumstances, which he described as “sensitive.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian criticized the group’s refusal to face the committee, saying those who claim to be telling the truth should be ready to appear before the proper forum and answer questions.
“Kung alam nila sa loob ng kanilang puso ay laman nila ang katotohanan, eh dapat pumunta sila dito para ipamahagi at i-share lahat ang katotohanan. Hindi puwedeng pumili kung saan sila pupunta at magsalita,” Gatchalian said.
The group earlier attended a separate Blue Ribbon hearing conducted by the rival Senate faction, where they accused several public officials and personalities of receiving cash-filled suitcases allegedly from Co.
Tulfo said Baligod and the 18 men would not be cited in contempt for skipping Monday’s meeting because it was only organizational in nature and not yet a formal public hearing.
He said he would inhibit from presiding in future hearings once the committee is fully organized.
The committee said the group would still be invited once formal proceedings begin. Blue Ribbon vice chair Sen. Francis Pangilinan said the panel may later compel their attendance through a subpoena if they continue to refuse.
“If they continue to refuse, we can at the right time, compel them to attend, subpoena them, and if they refuse, we can have them cited in contempt and may be arrested when the Blue Ribbon Committee has been fully constituted,” Pangilinan said.
Tulfo also rejected the legitimacy of last week’s hearing held by the rival faction, calling it outside established Senate rules and institutional processes.
“It was irregular, a hao shiao, a make-believe investigation masquerading as an official Senate proceeding,” Tulfo said.
He said the allegations raised during that proceeding prompted him to file libel complaints before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court.
“Madaling magturo, madaling gumawa ng kwento at napakadaling manira ng reputasyon. Kaya tungkulin ng Blue Ribbon Committee na tiyaking ang bawat alegasyon ay nakabatay sa matibay na ebidensya at mapagkakatiwalaang testimonya,” Tulfo said.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo also questioned the group’s credibility, citing alleged inconsistencies in their claims. These included allegations involving a priest, the supposed receipt of iPhone 16e units in 2024, and the alleged exchange of money at a money changer near Pearbank Center in Makati City, which he said investigators found did not exist.
He also said the group appeared to struggle in narrating their claims without being guided by leading questions.
“Kung papanoorin mo ang live selling nila noong Huwebes, hirap sila ikuwento ang kanilang naratibo. The presiding officers of that conference were coaching and leading their ‘resourceful’ persons,” he said.