House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima has again denied accusations that she received kickbacks allegedly handed over by individuals identifying themselves as Marines, calling the claims “blatant lies.”

In a Facebook post, De Lima rejected allegations from the supposed 18 former Marines that she received a suitcase of money linked to anomalous flood control projects.

“Uulitin ko: Whether sa maleta, sa paper bag o anuman yan, wala akong tinatanggap na pera,” De Lima said.

She also criticized what she described as inconsistencies in the accusations, saying the narratives against her had become tangled because they were fabricated and repeated in 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 added.

De Lima said she has already filed libel and cyberlibel complaints with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and a perjury complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against those spreading the allegations.

“I have already responded to these blatant lies and filed libel/cyberlibel complaint before the NBI and perjury complaint before the DOJ,” she said.

De Lima was not a member of the House of Representatives during the 19th Congress, serving from July 25, 2022 to June 11, 2025.

She officially assumed office again on June 30, 2025 as a party-list representative in the 20th Congress.