Bodyguards, formerly known as the “18 ex-marines’, admitted they made a mistake in linking Senator Loren Legarda to the delivery of bags of cash, leading to the removal of her name from the list of lawmakers implicated in the claims tied to the alleged flood control scheme.

Attorney Levito Baligod said two of the witnesses, identified as former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, acknowledged their error in naming Legarda in an earlier affidavit.

“With all sincerity, we are man enough to admit a mistake and brave enough to correct it,” Baligod said during an online press conference with Sen. Robin Padilla.

Baligod said the witnesses reviewed their statements and clarified that they did not actually see any money being brought inside the property they previously associated with Legarda.

The retraction comes three months after the two men claimed they had delivered two bags of cash to a residence at No. 40 Cambridge Street in North Forbes Park, which they initially linked to the senator.

According to Baligod, the witnesses recalled that upon arriving at the property, only Co’s vehicle entered the gate, which quickly closed behind it. They said they were instructed to unload two suitcases outside and hand them to another individual, but did not see the bags being taken inside the premises.

“[Sabi nila] ang maalala namin sir with your respect pasensya na wala kaming nakitang maleta na nakapasok doon sa gate kasi nung ibinaba namin ay biglang lumabas din si Zaldy Co.,” Baligod said, adding that the witnesses Rodante Orbillo and Rommel Galapon executed new statements in March correcting their earlier claims.

Baligod said he relayed the correction through former politician Mike Defensor, who he believed had access to Legarda. He added that the senator may pursue perjury charges against the two witnesses if she chooses.

“Inaamin nila pagkakamali nila, kung gusto ni Senator Loren na kasuhan yung dalawa, ibinibigay ko ang ebidensya,” Baligod said

“Pwede niyang kasuhan ng perjury yung dalawa kung gusto niya. Pero as I said, we are man enough to admit a mistake and brave enough to rectify it,” he added.

The lawyer emphasized that the names listed in the earlier affidavit were based solely on the witnesses’ recollection at the time, noting that their statements have since been revised after further review.

He also said that other names mentioned in the affidavit remain unchanged.

The claims involve reported cash deliveries to several lawmakers, which have yet to be substantiated in court.