Deputy Speaker and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin denied allegations linking her to supposed cash deliveries, calling the claims “baseless” and accusing some senators of using a Senate hearing to advance a political agenda.
Garin said it was unfortunate that the Senate, which she described as a respectable institution, was allegedly used by some of its members to push “narrative-driven accusations” against members of the House of Representatives.
“It is deeply unfortunate that a respectable and dignified institution such as the Senate of the Philippines has been used by some of its own members to advance their political agenda, weaponizing a supposed ‘committee hearing’ to propagate narrative-driven accusations,” Garin said.
Her statement came after she was among those mentioned by the so-called 18 Marines in connection with alleged money placed inside suitcases and supposedly delivered to certain individuals.
Garin strongly denied receiving any cash delivery.
“While I refuse to be dragged into this orchestrated political theater, I owe it to the public to set the record straight: these allegations are entirely baseless and thus, merit no serious consideration,” she said.
The Iloilo lawmaker described the accusation as “completely, incredibly false” and said the public should be cautious against what she called propaganda and deception.
“Maging mapanuri po tayong lahat. In this season of gross propaganda and public deception, we must refuse to allow manufactured noise to drown out the facts,” Garin said.
She added that public discourse should be based on evidence and verifiable facts, not “malicious fiction” meant to serve political interests.
“I stand firm in the belief that the Filipino people deserve a public discourse anchored on verifiable facts and evidence, and not malicious fiction manifestly designed to serve a purely political agenda rather than the interest of truth,” she said.