Former congressman Michael Defensor on Friday said that the alleged 18 former Marines will follow the advice of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on whether they should attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) hearing scheduled for Monday, June 8.
Speaking in an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Defensor said the group continues to recognize Alan Peter Cayetano as the legitimate Senate President and will seek his guidance before deciding whether to appear at the hearing chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo.
"Ang tamang pamamaraan ay sumunod tayo kay Senate President Alan Cayetano dahil siya pa rin naman ang kinikilalang Senate President. Wala naman sinabing tanggal siya, dahil acting lang [si Senator Win Gatchalian]" Defensor said.
He added that the group intends to seek guidance regarding the planned Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.
"Humingi tayo ng gabay, ano ba talaga ‘yung itong gagawin na Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing ni Sen. Erwin Tulfo. Pero kung sinasabing takot o hindi haharap, walang problema yun," he said.
Defensor said he and ex-Marines' lawyer Levi Baligod agreed to consult Cayetano to avoid being placed in a difficult position amid accusations that the former Marines are avoiding the hearing.
"Ang napag-usapan namin ni Atty. Levi [Baligod] humingi siya ng guidance na sumunod kay Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano para hindi kami magipit sa gitna na parang inisnab namin o sabihin natatakot kami," Defensor said.
"If this is the guidance from the Senate President na kinikilala naman din ng kabila… 'yun ang susundin namin" he added.
Defensor maintained that the former Marines are prepared to answer questions and explain the statements contained in their affidavits.
"Haharap ang mga marines, haharap sila sa mga tanong, ipapaliwanag nila ang probisyon na binanggit nila sa affidavit nila," he said.
"‘Yun nga lang siguro ang problema kasi ang tagal-tagal ng grupo nila Sen. Erwin, noong sila ung majority, ayaw nila ipatawag. Sinasabi nila hindi totoo, parang exaggerated ‘yung kwento. Ngayon na ipapatawag, parang nag-aagawan naman," the former lawmaker emphasized.
NEWS UPDATE: Hihingi ng gabay sina dating Cong. Mike Defensor kay Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano kung dadalo ang 18 ex-marines sa Blue Ribbon hearing sa Lunes.
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) June 4, 2026
Sa panayam ng #DosPorDos, sinabi ni Defensor na si Cayetano pa rin ang kinikilala nilang Senate President. | DZRH News pic.twitter.com/4Mm25SjCcw
The issue comes amid continuing tensions between two factions in the Senate, which have announced separate schedules for BRC hearings on the flood control scandal.
The Cayetano bloc proceeded with its scheduled hearing on June 4, where the 18 self-identified former Marines appeared alongside their lawyer, Levi Baligod.
The ex-Marines also identified themselves as former bodyguards and bagmen of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co.
Meanwhile, the hearing organized by Tulfo, who was recently designated as the committee chairperson, is set for Monday, June 8. The ex-Marines have again been invited to testify.
During Thursday's hearing, the former Marines named several lawmakers and senators whom they alleged had received cash-filled suitcases.
Among those mentioned were Erwin Tulfo and Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III. Both have denied the allegations.
