Palace: Recantation by 4 ex-bodyguards exposes 'fabricated' Duterte camp claims

Malacañang stated on Friday that the recantation of allegations by four individuals who claimed to be former bodyguards of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co exposes the alleged practice of Duterte camp supporters hiring people to fabricate stories for financial gain. These four individuals had previously executed affidavits alleging that they delivered suitcases of cash to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Speaker Martin Romualdez, Rep. Co, and other personalities. However, they have now signed new affidavits stating that their prior claims were untrue. "We see the style of Duterte supporters in how they hire people to make fabricated stories against the President in exchange for a large sum of money," said Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro in a video message. She added, "Many feel that this is part of the plan of Mike Defensor and his allies to cause destabilization." In February, a group of 18 men, identifying as former security personnel of Co, including some former Marines, publicly surfaced and presented affidavits detailing cash deliveries to various personalities. Lawyer Levi Baligod had presented these affidavits. Recently, four of these men signed new affidavits retracting their earlier statements. They stated that they signed the initial joint affidavit because they were promised financial assistance. Castro clarified that any investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman into the "maleta boys" and their allegations against former Speaker Romualdez and others is within the Ombudsman's jurisdiction. "Whatever the Office of the Ombudsman has investigated regarding the ‘maleta boys,’ in relation to former Speaker Romualdez and others who are accused, is already in the hands of the Office of the Ombudsman," she explained. The Palace official emphasized that she was speaking solely on behalf of President Marcos and not for any other individuals implicated in the controversy. She urged the public not to be swayed by such schemes driven by monetary motives, warning that they could end up ruining the lives of innocent people. This development adds a layer of complexity to the domestic political landscape, potentially impacting investor confidence and the broader political discourse in the Philippines.