MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has brushed aside claims linking him to a massive flood control corruption controversy, stating that the accusations do not warrant an official reply.
Speaking to reporters in Manila on Thursday, October 15, Sotto addressed testimony given before the Sandiganbayan regarding alleged cash deliveries.
A witness named Rodante Orbillo claimed before the anti-graft court’s Third Division that he delivered suitcases, or “maleta,” packed with money to Sotto, former Marikina 2nd District Representative Stella Quimbo, and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
The testimony surfaced during the bail proceedings of former House Speaker and incumbent Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez in connection with alleged multi-billion-peso kickbacks from state infrastructure projects, supposedly funneled through individuals dubbed the “Maleta boys.”
Reacting to the claims, Sotto noted that he received text messages about the matter earlier that day, dismissing it as an old narrative.
“May nag-text nga sa akin kanina. Sabi ko, lumang istorya. Sabi ko, does not deserve a response,” Sotto told members of the media.
Apart from the corruption allegations, Sotto addressed speculations surrounding the proposed 2027 national budget, specifically warning against connecting the expenditure bill to the ongoing impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
He guaranteed that the Senate would prevent the financial plan from being utilized as a tool to sway the judgment of senator-judges.
“No, no, no. We will not allow that. Ibang usapan yun. Ibang usapan yung budget, saka ibang usapan yung impeachment,” Sotto emphasized when asked if the spending measure could be leveraged to influence votes.
The veteran lawmaker highlighted that senators are conducting a thorough and critical review of the national budget before it is passed.
He stressed that the upper chamber must maintain strict transparency and extra care to steer clear of any perception of impropriety.
“Budget ingatan natin. We can assure you,” he remarked.
When further pressed on whether the budget could be manipulated as leverage, Sotto firmly stated:
“Hindi namin hahayaan magamit yun.”