Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian on Friday urged the '18 alleged former Marines' to attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing scheduled on June 8, so their testimonies can be formally recorded and considered “official“ in the committee’s proceedings.
“Ako, hinihikayat ko na pumunta yung mga naimbitahan kasama yung mga 18 Marines at hinihikayat ko sila na dumalo para maging opisyal yung kanilang mga testimonya at mga sasabihin,” Gatchalian said in an interview on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan.
He added that he would coordinate with the newly appointed Blue Ribbon Committee Chair, Erwin Tulfo, regarding the next steps of the inquiry.
The acting Senate leader confirmed that the committee hearing will proceed on Monday and reiterated the invitation for the 18 alleged former Marines to attend. He said the hearing would provide them the opportunity to formally present sworn statements before the Senate.
“Sa Monday, meron tayong official na public hearing na isa sa gawa ng Blue Ribbon hearing sa pamumuno ni Chairman Erwin Tulfo. At inimbitahan din yung 18 Marines na pumunta kahapon. So ito ang pagkakataon ng 18 Marines na ibigay yung kanilang official na pahayag sa isang official na pagdinig sa loob ng Senado,” he said.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is currently handling hearings related to alleged irregularities in flood control projects. Separate factions in the Senate have announced different schedules for the committee’s proceedings.
The Cayetano bloc proceeded with its own hearing on June 4, where the 18 self-identified former Marines appeared with their lawyer, Levi Baligod.
During that hearing, the group claimed they previously served as bodyguards and couriers for former Zaldy Co.
They also alleged that several lawmakers and senators received cash-filled suitcases, prompting further calls for formal testimony under oath.
Meanwhile, Gatchalian stressed that any statements should be supported by evidence and sworn affidavits, rather than unverified accusations made during hearings.
“Doon sa invitation, inimbitahan rin yung mga personalidad na may kaugnayan dito sa issue na ito. At dahil nga ito ay official, importante na dumalo sila, magbigay ng kanilang affidavit, magbigay ng sinumpaang salaysay para maging official. At importante rin na lahat ng kanilang sasabihin ay merong basehan, hindi lang turo dito, turo doon at ginagamit yung hearing para magturo ng tao,” he emphasized.
“Ang importante dito, ebidensya. Ang importante dito, opisyal na salaysay. At ang importante dito ay personal appearance,” he said.
Earlier, Tulfo warned that the 18 alleged former Marines, along with lawyer Levi Baligod and former congressman Mike Defensor, must attend the June 8 hearing or risk being cited for contempt.
Some of the individuals named during earlier testimony included President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Presidential son and Ilocos Rep. Sandro Marcos, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and former and current members of the Makabayan bloc.
Senators Erwin Tulfo and Vicente "Tito" Sotto III were also among those named by the group in connection with alleged kickbacks in flood control projects. Both lawmakers have denied the allegations.
