Malacañang on Tuesday questioned the credibility of the 18 alleged former bodyguards of resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co, saying their shifting statements would likely fail under court scrutiny.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the inconsistencies in their claims weakened the allegations they made against several lawmakers over the supposed delivery of cash from flood control project kickbacks.
Castro again dismissed the accusations as “garbage,” noting that the individuals themselves had earlier claimed they were hauling garbage.
“So, itong mga klase na mga statements na ito, na pinuna rin na bakit ang abogado ang nagsasalita at hindi iyong 18 kargador or 18 maleta boys, hindi po ito tatayo sa korte,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
She said questions have also been raised over why the lawyer was speaking on behalf of the 18 individuals instead of the supposed former bodyguards themselves.
Castro said statements that keep changing would not survive careful examination by the courts.
“Iyong ganitong klaseng mga statements na pabagu-bago, hindi po ito makakapasa sa masusing mga pag-aaral at pagsusuri ng korte,” she said.
She added that the inconsistencies showed that the allegations were meant only to damage the reputation of those being accused.
“So, dito pa lamang po ay makikita na natin kung anu-anong klase ang mga kwento nila para makapanira lamang,” Castro said.
The 18 individuals claimed they delivered millions of pesos in alleged kickbacks from flood control projects to several lawmakers.
The lawmakers named in the allegations have already denied the accusations.