Fresh allegations of a cash delivery scheme involving alleged former military personnel are now being scrutinized by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson.
The veteran lawmaker on Thursday said he is now looking into the individuals involved in the supposed transport of large sums of money to senior government officials on the alleged instructions of former congressman Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co.
“We will evaluate first the source of information, which in this case are the 18 alleged Marine personnel who appeared at a press conference last Tuesday. Second is the reliability or credibility of the information itself, meaning the content of their affidavit,” said Lacson, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
Before formally filing a resolution directing the panel to conduct a probe, Lacson and his team initiated preliminary verification, which includes tapping the Philippine Navy and Army for a record check and background investigation, on the 18 supposed ex-Marines.
On Wednesday, Senator Imee Marcos also filed Senate Resolution 317 seeking an investigation in aid of legislation into the alleged money delivery operation, and the measure was referred to the Blue Ribbon Committee shortly after.
Lacson questioned the alleged P805 billion delivered in cash, noting that the amount represented more than 70 percent of the P1.13 trillion allocated for flood control projects from 2023 to 2025.
According to the lawmaker, the remaining P325 billion from the flood control budget appeared inconsistent with previously disclosed kickbacks admitted to have been coursed and received by former Department of Public Works and Highways regional director Roberto Bernardo and district engineer Henry Alcantara.
“The numbers just don’t add up. It’s mind-boggling. When we talk about large suitcases containing P50 to P70 million each, and we consider P805 billion, at least 13,400 large suitcases would be required, not counting smaller ones,” Lacson said.
