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Alexis Romero - The Philippine Star
February 26, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday dismissed as a “lousy script” the story of 18 men who introduced themselves as former Marines, who claimed they delivered suitcases containing billions of pesos to the houses of President Marcos and his cousin, former speaker Martin Romualdez.
“This is a repeated lie against the President. Lousy script, not award-winning, not polished. You know that it contains a lie,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing.
“Who is behind this? Perhaps you should know who owns the vehicle who fetched them after their press briefing or presscon. These are repeated lies,” Castro said.
She did not identify who was behind the accusation, which came amid political chatter over the possible alliances being formed for the 2028 polls, the ongoing efforts to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte and the pre-trial of former president Rodrigo Duterte at The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity arising from drug war-related deaths.
Castro said there is no need to give orders to the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police and Department of Justice with regard to the matter since it is their job to file charges against those who spread “fake news.”
The 18 persons who claimed to be former Marines talked about the alleged cash deliveries during a press conference in San Juan last Tuesday. They supported the testimony of Orly Guteza, who alleged before a Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing last year that he had brought suitcases filled with money to some officials.
Levi Baligod, who organized the press briefing, claimed the total amount of money delivered by the bagmen might have hit P805 billion. The funds were allegedly meant for International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators in the country against former president Duterte in 2023, using money from the group of former lawmaker and now fugitive Zaldy Co and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
“Before December 2023, they (soldiers) were ordered to exchange pesos to dollars – two suitcases each containing P56 million. So, they exchanged the equivalent of $2 million, and Zaldy Co’s executive assistants said they were preparing for the arrival of foreigners and later, they realized that the foreigners mentioned were ICC investigators,” the lawyer said.
Baligod also alleged that the former soldiers often delivered “suitcases and sometimes even paper bags of money” to those taking care of the ICC investigators with all food, vehicles and accommodation “shouldered by Sonny Trillanes’ group and Zaldy Co.”
Trillanes has denied the accusations against him and has vowed to file criminal charges against Baligod and others.
“I vehemently deny that I received $2 million or any amount from Zaldy Co for the ICC investigation or for any other purpose. We did not receive any money. This move is meant to discredit the ICC in light of the ongoing confirmation of charges hearing,” Trillanes said in an interview over “Storycon” on One News.
In a related development, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority general manager Nicolas Torre III said his inclusion in the affidavit of the alleged bagmen is a “non-issue.”
Baligod clarifies statement
There was no categorical statement that Trillanes and ICC investigators have received $2 million allegedly from Co, Baligod clarified yesterday.
Speaking to “Storycon” on One News, Baligod said, “What they merely stated is that Paul Estrada confided with them that they are preparing for the arrival of foreigners, that’s why (they) exchanged $2 million.”
Baligod stood firm on his other statements.
In the same program, former lawmaker Robert Barbers shrugged off the claim that he was among those who supposedly received money from Co.
‘Dishonorably discharged’
It turns out that four of the 18 “former soldiers” claiming to be bagmen were never part of the military.
Most of the rest were dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, while others were verified to be retirees.
Philippine Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez said it “exercised due diligence to verify the identities and service records of these individuals.”
“Based on official records, four were never members of the Philippine Navy or the Philippine Marine Corps,” Martinez said in a statement sent to reporters.
Senate President Pro Tem pore Panfilo Lacson, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., Opposition Rep. Leila de Lima, La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V and Makabayan bloc lawmakers questioned the veracity of the allegations. — Michael Punongbayan, Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Delon Porcalla, Jose Rodel Clapano, Janvic Mateo
