Several lawmakers linked by the 18 former Marines to alleged flood control bribe money denied receiving cash-filled suitcases, calling the accusations false and politically motivated.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said he never received money, a suitcase or anything of value from anyone, and claimed the allegations were meant to divert attention from the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Unang-una, I categorically deny all their accusations against me. Wala akong tinanggap na maleta, pera, o anumang bagay mula kaninuman, at wala rin akong pinulot kahit saan,” Adiong said.
He said the accusations were a distraction from the House prosecution panel’s constitutional duty in the impeachment case.
“Isang malinaw na political theater at pamumulitika ang palabas na ito,” he added, describing the list of names read during the Senate activity as an attempt to create noise and derail Congress from its work.
Palawan Rep. Jose “Pepito” Alvarez also denied receiving any money or suitcase from former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.
“Wala akong natanggap. Wala kaming transaction na maaari niya akong bigyan ng pera,” Alvarez said.
Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima also rejected the allegations, saying she was not yet a member of Congress at the time she was supposedly linked to the claims.
“Uulitin ko: Whether sa maleta, sa paper bag o anuman ’yan, wala akong tinatanggap na pera,” de Lima said.
She said the accusations against her were fabricated and merely repeated in what she described as a questionable Senate hearing.
“Hindi na rin nakapagtataka na nagkakabuhol-buhol ang kwento at paratang sa akin dahil imbento lang ang mga pinagsasabi nila, kasinungalingan na inulit lang sa isang kwestyonableng hearing sa Senado,” she said.
De Lima added that she had already answered the allegations by filing libel and cyberlibel complaints before the National Bureau of Investigation and a perjury complaint before the Department of Justice.
“Ang lahat ng kalaban sangkot, ang kaanib ‘excused’?” she added.