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February 28, 2026 | 2:08pm
MANILA, Philippines — A religious leader clarified his role as a witness in the notarized affidavit of 18 supposed former Philippine Marines, who claimed they delivered cash to several top government officials.
The men alleged they acted under the instruction of former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co., in connection with investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into detained former president Rodrigo Duterte.
In a Facebook post on Friday, February 27, Efraim Tendero, former secretary general of the World Evangelical Alliance, said he was asked to witness the signing two days before leaving Manila for conferences in the United States.
“I confirm that I witnessed the 18 soldiers appear before the notary public, and the signing process took place,” he wrote, saying that he does not know the group personally.
“They reached out to me as a religious leader who champions the call for transparency, accountability, and integrity in governance,” he added.
Tendero clarified that his role did not include verifying the truthfulness of the affidavit’s contents.
“I only confirm the signing process was legitimate. The responsibility for the veracity of the document's content lies with those who gave their sworn statements,” he said.
He also said that he acted in his personal capacity as a citizen and not on behalf of the World Evangelical Alliance or the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches.
“However, I recognize that I can't dissociate my person from my public positions, and for that I humbly apologize for any misunderstanding my action may have caused,” Tendero added.
What the affidavit claims
The affidavit, submitted through lawyer Levito Baligod to the Office of the Ombudsman, alleges that the supposed ex-Marines served as bagmen, delivering suitcases of cash to politicians and public officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and various lawmakers.
The affiants claimed that the cash distribution was ordered by Co and was connected to the probe by the ICC over Dutere's crimes against humanity of murder case.
Baligod alleged that, during the probe into Duterte’s drug war, ICC investigators supposedly accepted money from certain individuals, raising questions about the integrity of the investigation.
According to the lawyer, the money came from funding for flood control projects and so-called “ghost” projects.
De Lima inclusion clarified
Some of those named in the affidavit, including Rep. Leila De Lima (ML Party-list), denied involvement.
Baligod later clarified that none of the 18 supposed bagmen testified to delivering suitcases to De Lima and admitted he had made an “error” in including her on the list of alleged recipients.
He explained that her name was included because former service members claimed they had seen her at some alleged “meetings” between public officials and ICC representatives.
ICC asserts independence
Amid the controversy, the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) issued a statement asserting its independence.
The office said all investigative activities are funded by the court’s budget and managed in accordance with ICC financial rules.
It stressed that it collects information and assesses witness credibility independently and does not comment on ongoing investigations to protect the integrity of its operations and the safety of witnesses.
Reactions, next steps
Baligod also alleged that ICC investigators received assistance from former senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Co, though no evidence has been presented.
Trillanes denied the claim and vowed to pursue charges against Baligod and the soldiers.
Malacañang described the cash delivery allegations as “fishy,” suggesting they may be part of efforts to destabilize the government.
Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año has ordered an investigation into the claims.
The Office of the Ombudsman has yet to determine probable cause to file charges against officials named in the affidavits.
