QUEZON CITY — Two police officers testifying as prosecution witnesses in the bail hearing for former House Speaker and incumbent Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez told the Sandiganbayan that they witnessed the delivery of numerous suitcases to the Taguig City residence of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co.
Appearing before the anti-graft court’s Third Division, Police Major Alvin Nuguid—who served as Co’s security detail starting March 2024—testified that he observed around 50 to 60 suitcases being moved in and out of Co’s condominium unit.
However, Nuguid clarified under oath that he never personally inspected the contents to verify if they held cash. He noted that fellow security personnel jokingly referred to the luggage as “basura” (trash) in reference to the local saying, “may pera sa basura” (there’s money in trash), and labeled the logistics as a “special tasking.”
Nuguid added that while he occasionally rode in a car with Co, he never overheard any discussions concerning deliveries of cash-filled luggage.
A second prosecution witness, Police Chief Master Sergeant Larry Zymon Bellen, corroborated that he also did not witness money inside the suitcases when questioned about the allegations.
Romualdez and Co are facing a non-bailable ₱7.4 billion plunder complaint filed by the Office of the Ombudsman regarding alleged irregularities in government flood control contracts. Investigators claim that suitcases stuffed with millions in kickbacks were systematically delivered to both officials, given Co’s former position as the chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations.
Romualdez is currently detained at the new Quezon City Jail, while Co has remained abroad since the controversy surfaced.
During the proceedings, Nuguid also recounted seeing Romualdez visit Co’s Taguig residence following Co’s resignation from his appropriations post.
Under cross-examination by defense lawyer Via Valdepeñas, Nuguid stated that the meeting lasted under two hours, though he could not remember the exact date or the agenda of the visit. Bellen similarly testified that he was unaware of the details of Co’s phone conversations or the identities of his callers.