Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon on Saturday challenged the 18 individuals claiming to be former Marines who earlier appeared before the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on June 4 to reiterate their allegations during an “official“ hearing scheduled on Monday, June 8.
Speaking at Saturday News forum, Ridon said the upcoming session of the Senate BRC chaired by Sen. Erwin Tulfo will provide an opportunity to properly assess the credibility of the witnesses’ statements under oath and with full congressional scrutiny.
“This is a challenge to the 18 former bodyguards. Magpakita sila doon sa Monday, Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing ni Blue Ribbon Chair Erwin Tulfo. Ulitin po nila lahat ng mga binanggit po nila, nito po ang nagdaang pagpapulong,” Ridon said.
He said the Monday hearing will be conducted with “official“ records and under oath, making it the appropriate venue to validate the claims raised during a previous informal meeting.
“'Yung mga meetings sa Lunes will be made under full secretariat, will be made under oath, kasi ito naman po yung talagang aktual na pagpupulong,” the lawmaker said.
“So ibig sabihin, if they can subject themselves to congressional scrutiny under an official proceeding, like what will happen on Monday, then doon natin na mate-test kung talaga bang may kredibilidad ‘yung kanila pong sinasabi at hindi po sila nagsisinungaling,” he added.
Ridon added that if the group refuses to attend the official hearing, it would cast doubt on the credibility of their earlier statements, which he described as potentially unsubstantiated.
“Pag hindi po sila sumipot doon, e malinaw na malinaw. Wala akong kredibilidad. Purong kasinungalingan po yung ginawa po noong nagdaang pagpupulong,” he added.
During the forum, the lawmaker also denied accusations made by the group that he allegedly received a suitcase containing cash linked to flood control scandal.
He said he has never received any form of kickback or illicit payment, rejecting the claims made in an affidavit presented during the committee proceedings last June 4.
The 18 self-identified former Marines were invited by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, along with other individuals and agencies, to attend the June 8 hearing to formally present and record their testimonies under oath.
