What was supposed to be a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged flood control scandal on Wednesday failed to materialize after no senator attended.
But the event proceeded as a press conference where ex-suitcase boys of former congressman Zaldy Co aired new allegations against several public figures.
Former congressman Mike Defensor had earlier announced that it would serve as a hearing of a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee faction aligned with senators associated with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s bloc.
However, the activity eventually turned into a media briefing after no senator appeared at the venue.
“Kaya po minabuti na namin na kunin na ang pagkakataon na ito dahil maaaring ito na ang huling pagpapahayag ng ating mga butihing sundalo… ang ating mga bayaning na nagsalita noong unang committee hearing,” Defensor said.
It was held in Mandaluyong City amid heightened police presence and a crowd composed largely of Duterte supporters.
Sen. Imee Marcos arrived at the venue but was unable to enter initially. Anti-riot police were deployed in the area as crowds gathered near the Ortigas MRT station and along EDSA.
“Naghahanap kami ng paraan na ituloy ang pagdinig ng iba’t ibang testigo hinggil sa flood control kahit… wag yong ganito,” Marcos said.
Defensor said they decided to proceed with the presentation of witnesses despite developments in the Senate leadership dispute and questions surrounding the authority of the planned hearing.
Earlier, Sen. Erwin Tulfo, whose camp is aligned with the Senate leadership led by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, said the possibility of filing a complaint for usurpation of authority was being studied if the hearing pushed through.
During the press conference, Atty. Levito Baligod presented four additional witnesses on top of the 18 who had previously accused Co of ordering deliveries of cash-filled suitcases to politicians.
One of the new witnesses, identified as former soldier Jeron Valderrama, alleged that he participated in the delivery of cash to then-congressman Erwin Tulfo and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. He also mentioned Commission on Elections Commissioner George Garcia in his testimony.
“Sa bahay po yan ni dating speaker sa 44 Narra, Mckinley Road po,” one of the former maleta boys claimed when a photo of several luggage were pulled up on screen.
“Ito? Kanino, kanino?” Defensor asked.
“44 Mckinley po. Sa loob po yan ng bahay, sir,” another responded, adding that it was received by Romualdez’s mayordoma “ate Jocelyn.”
Romualdez and Tulfo had previously denied similar allegations. Garcia likewise rejected the latest claims, saying they were inconsistent with earlier statements made by the witnesses.
The witnesses also presented photographs they claimed were related to the alleged deliveries. Some of the images were reportedly taken at a hangar owned by Misibis Aviation and Development Corporation.
Among the other photographs shown were images of Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and his wife, actress Sharon Cuneta, together with company employees. However, the witnesses did not provide further details linking the couple to the alleged cash deliveries.
Actress Cuneta reacted by stating on a social media post that the witnesses are “sinungaling.”
“MGA SINUNGAAAALING!!!!!!! SOBRA TALAGA KAYO!!!!! I vlogged about this visit my family and I made to Marawi to thank the Governor, Mayor, and other officials and their families for their support for Kiko. Talaga ba, magbibigay kayo ng maleta sa amin SA MARAWI PA???!!! Ang kakapal ng mukha ninyo talaga sukdulan!!! Eto nagtetaping pa ako ngayon-nagbabanat pa rin ng buto at lumalaban ng patas, dahil lahat ng meron kami, PINAGHIHIRAPAN NAMIN!!! Hindi kami tulad ninyong mga sinungaling!!! Kaya sabi nga nila, KAPATID NG SINUNGALING ANG MAGNANAKAW!!! Bahala na ang PANGINOONG Diyos sa inyo. ALAM NIYA KUNG SINO ANG TOTOONG SUMUSUNOD AT SUMASAMBA SA KANYA!!! WALA KAYONG KWENTANG TAO!!!”, the wife of Pangilinan said.
Another former aide of Co alleged that four suitcases were delivered to the residence of former Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero in New Manila. No documentary evidence was presented during the briefing to support the claim.
The camp of Escudero had yet to issue a statement as of posting time.
The witnesses also showed a photograph of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Nicolas Torre III with some of the accusers.
They alleged that Torre had encouraged them to contradict testimony previously given before a Senate committee in 2025.
Torre had not yet responded to the allegation.
Several media personalities were also named during the press conference. One witness alleged that paper bags containing money were delivered to journalists, including GMA broadcaster Arnold Clavio.
Clavio strongly denied the accusation, describing it as false, laughable and sad. He challenged his accusers to present evidence and said he was prepared to face them in court.
Yesterday’s supposed Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, amid cheering of Duterte supporters, was the latest in the controversial flood control fund scam.
