Former Congressman Mike Defensor on Thursday dismissed as “nonsense” the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) claim that he bribed each of 18 self-proclaimed former Marines ₱5 million.

In an ambush interview at the Senate, Defensor said NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag put forth the allegation in order to discredit his and the former soldiers’ testimonies.

This was the very same tactic employed against former Marine and security aide Orly Guteza, who was a surprise witness in the Senate flood control hearing, Defensor said.

“Alam mo ganyan ganyan ginawa nila noon kay Guteza. Sinabi nila, pina-pirma nila na kami daw ni (Senator Rodante) Marcoleta, nag-offer ng pera para magsalita ng ganoon. Hindi daw totoo ‘yun… At ‘yung pag-deliver kay Speaker (Martin) Romualdez, ay hindi daw totoo. So ‘yun ‘yung kuwento nila. So ngayon ginagawa na naman nila ‘yan para i-discredit ‘yung mga marines—na parang binayaran sila para magsalita. Pero kita-kita niyo naman, ‘yung mga sinabi nila, natural na natural,” he said.

Defensor urged Matibag to use the bureau’s resources to investigate broader corruption in the government.

“Sana ‘yung resources ng NBI, gamitin para talagang imbestigahan ‘yung nakawan sa ating bansa. Hindi ‘yung ganitong ginagawa nila na parang every time na magsasalita, para bang ang nangyari, kalaban. At pagkatapos, sisiraan nila, at ngayon naman ay magsu-subpoena sila, ay kalokohan ‘yan,” the former lawmaker said.

Additionally, he urged the NBI director to help uncover the truth for the sake of the country and his family's future, instead of targeting individuals who have spoken out.

He said that those who come forward and speak out against corruption are now being portrayed as enemies.

During an earlier press conference on the same day, Matibag said this information he disclosed was based on the account of an individual with a direct relationship with one of the former soldiers.