Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday brushed aside allegations accusing him of receiving bribes in the form of “male-maletang pera,” calling the claims baseless and not worth his attention.
In an ambush interview on February 25, Sotto said he would not give weight to what he described as exaggerated accusations.
“I will not dignify a tall story allegation. Ang nakakatawa roon, baka hanapin sa akin ng asawa ko ’yung limang maleta.”
He added that the claims being thrown at him and other lawmakers were overly absurd.
The controversy stemmed from a press conference held by 18 former security personnel of former Zaldy Co, led by lawyer Levi Baligod.
During the event, the group linked Sotto to alleged suitcase deliveries supposedly containing cash connected to flood control projects.
Sotto, however, made it clear he sees the accusations as nothing more than “tall story allegations,” signaling he does not intend to engage further with the issue.