Senator Raffy Tulfo on Monday criticized the Cayetano bloc for allegedly “coaching” 18 former Marines who testified during a June 4 Blue Ribbon hearing on alleged flood control anomalies.
"It seems that some of the information from these 18 porters or kargadors are fed. They have a hard time telling their story on their own. Kung panonoorin mo ang live selling nila noong Huwebes, hirap silang ikuwento ang kanilang naratibo," Tulfo said during his opening statement of a consultative meeting of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on June 8.
He further alleged that the presiding officers at the June 4 hearing were influencing the testimonies of the resource persons.
"The presiding officers of that conference were coaching and leading the resource persons. Kapag medyo nagkakamali, inaayos ng presiding officers ang testimonya," he said.
Tulfo also criticized the participation of lawyer Levi Baligod, legal counsel of the 18 alleged former Marines, claiming that Baligod testified on matters despite not being directly involved in the alleged transportation of suitcases containing cash.
Addressing the witnesses directly, Tulfo claimed they were being used for political purposes.
"Ang masasabi ko lang, ginamit lang kayo ng malalaking tao para sa personal nilang interes sa politika. Kulang 'yang P5 million... Tingnan ninyo, unti-unti kayong iiwan niyan," he said.
Tulfo also urged the public to be cautious about believing certain personalities who invoke religious teachings for personal interests.
"Sa ating mga kababayan, mag-ingat po tayo sa paniniwalaan. Remember, the devil can cite the scripture for his purpose... ‘Wag po tayong magpapadala sa mga mabubulaklak na pananalita dahil lang siya ay nagbabasa ng bibliya," he said.
He likewise cautioned the public against automatically accepting the claims of the witnesses because they were being referred to as former Marines.
“Huwag po tayo bastang maniniwala dahil binansagang bayani o Marines ang 18 na kargador,” Tulfo noted.
“Buksan po natin ang ating mga mata, tenga at utak. Huwag po tayong magpapadala sa mga live selling nila,” he added.
The 18 witnesses appeared during a hearing conducted by Cayetano's group on June 4, where they allegedly testified about irregularities involving flood control projects and the transport of cash-filled suitcases.
'NOT MARINES BUT KARGADORS'
During his remarks, Tulfo sought to undermine the credibility of the witnesses, whom he repeatedly referred to as "18 kargadors" instead of "18 Marines."
"Una. Sino ba itong 18 kargador na ito? Saan ba sila galing? We cannot simply bring in people sa Blue Ribbon Committee na nag-aakusa ng mabibigat na paratang nang hindi man lang nalalaman kung karapat-dapat ba silang paniwalaan. Kasi simulang-simula pa lang na tinawag silang 18 marines, may pagli-linlang na agad," he said.
Tulfo argued that the label was intended to enhance the group's image before the public.
"’Yung bansag na 18 Marines ay isang paraan upang pabanguhin sila sa publiko. 'Matik po kasi 'yan pag sinabing Marines, iba po ang respeto ng mga tao. Pero hindi naman po silang lahat ay dating marines. At mahigit kalahati sa kanila ay discharged without honors o dishonorably discharged from service for various offenses, tulad ng pagiging AWOL o absent without official leave," he said.
'NOT HEROES'
According to Tulfo, the credibility of the source is essential for the public to believe the allegations being made.
Tulfo also took issue with remarks made by Senator Loren Legarda, who had referred to the 18 former bodyguards as heroes.
"Nakakahiya naman po sa iba nating mga bayani. Na itong 18 kargador na ilang taon nagtrabaho kay Zaldy Co, may 7 years at 9 years, at nagbibitbit diumano ng sangkatutak na maleta ng pera, at bigla na lang tinubuan ng konsensya at ngayon ay naninira ng buhay ng mga inosenteng tao ay tatawagin nating bayani" he said.
"Pasensya na. 'Di po ako papayag na matabi ang mga sinungaling na 'to kila Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio at sa mga dakila nating OFWs," he added.
Tulfo further questioned the substance of the witnesses' testimonies, saying that several claims had already been challenged.
As part of his presentation, Tulfo showed video clips intended to debunk allegations made by the witnesses, including claims that suitcases filled with cash had been delivered to Fr. Flavie Villanueva near a church on Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City.
One of the videos featured Cubao Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr., who stated that there is no church under the care of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) located on Mindanao Avenue or in nearby areas.
The controversy stems from allegations raised by the witnesses regarding the alleged movement of cash linked to flood control projects. The claims continue to be the subject of scrutiny and debate among lawmakers.
