Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan strongly denied allegations that he received a suitcase filled with cash allegedly linked to fugitive and former lawmaker Zaldy Co, calling the claims baseless and politically motivated.

The accusations were made by 18 self-confessed former bagmen of Co during a press conference organized by former congressman Mike Defensor on Tuesday, June 16. The group claimed they had delivered a suitcase of cash to Pangilinan and presented photographs of the senator’s family and luggage as supposed evidence.

In a statement on social media, Pangilinan dismissed the allegations and suggested they were intended to undermine his role as chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee investigating the alleged flood control scam.

"Puro pasaring. Puro alegasyon. Puro palabas. Gusto lang mantsahan ang naiulat na pag-upo ko bilang chairperson ng Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee na mag-iimbestiga sa flood-control scam," Pangilinan said.

The senator maintained that the accusations lack factual basis and are an attempt to tarnish his reputation.

"Wala ni katiting na basehan ang mga tangkang pagdungis sa aking pagkatao ng mga nagpa-presscon tungkol sa mga maletang kaugnay sa bilyon-bilyong pisong ninakaw sa kaban ng bayan," he said.

Pangilinan also objected to the inclusion of his family in the allegations and warned that he would pursue legal remedies against those behind the claims.

"At dahil dinamay niyo pa ang pamilya ko, makakatikim kayo ng hindi pasaring, alegasyon, o palabas na kaso sa korte. Pananagutan ninyo ang paninirang ginagawa niyo," he stressed.

The allegations surfaced amid ongoing scrutiny of the alleged multibillion-peso flood control project scandal, which is expected to be investigated by the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee chaired by Pangilinan.

As of posting time, no independent evidence has been publicly presented to substantiate the claims against the senator, and no formal charges related to the allegations have been filed.