Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday claimed that four of the “maleta boys,” the self-confessed bagmen linked to former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, recanted their controversial allegations at the urging of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

During a press briefing at the Office of the Ombudsman, Remulla reasoned that Romualdez would primarily benefit from the withdrawal of accusations connecting him to massive kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects, reported RH 5 Val Gonzales.

“Siyempre! Siyempre, sino pa? Sino pa bang ibang makikinabang diyan pag ni-recant ‘yan?” Remulla exclaimed, responding to a question clarifying whether he believed Romualdez was behind the abrupt withdrawal of testimonies.

The four who recanted their statements were among the 18 alleged former Marines who, under Co, supposedly delivered suitcases of cold cash to Romualdez and other prominent persons on multiple occasions.

“Makikita mo talaga how desperate that camp is to take away the witnesses against them, because we have built a solid case already,” Remulla said.

The Ombudsman also took a shot at Atty. Levito Baligod, the bagmen’s attorney. He said Baligod was a lawyer who cannot be trusted.

“Baligod is a very colorful character, is what he is. I mean, from the PDAF days, you do your research on what Mr. Baligod did during the PDAF cases of Napoles,” Remulla told reporters, recalling the infamous Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or “pork barrel” scam in 2013.

To a question regarding Baligod’s trustworthiness, he replied, “Was he ever?”

Ten of the maleta boys were arrested today, August 7, after being unable to post bail for a perjury case.

According to reports, the four men recanted their earlier sworn statements implicating Romualdez, Co, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., among others, in the far-reaching corruption scandal.