Former Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor admitted Friday that he assisted 18 individuals who identified themselves as former Marines and claimed to have delivered suitcases of cash to politicians.
He, however, denied any involvement in preparing their affidavit.
Defensor said the group communicated directly only with their lawyer, Levito Baligod.
“Kahit na ‘yung paghanap sa kanila, hindi ko sila nakikita ng mga panahon ‘yun. For security reasons. So si Atty. Levi lang talaga ang kausap nila. Hindi ko sila nakakaharap. Wala akong pag-uusap sa kanila. And in fact, nung after na lang [ng presscon] ko na lang sila nakaharap,” Defensor said in a radio interview.
He added that he was not directly coordinating with the group, although he had previously indicated that more individuals would come forward following Orly Guteza’s testimony in the Senate probe on the flood control controversy.
“Hindi ako ang direktang kausap ng mga ‘yan. Pero siyempre, sinabi ko nga noon pa man, nung kay Guteza pa lang, na may mga lalabas na kasama,” Defensor noted.
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV earlier accused Defensor of orchestrating the allegations, pointing out that the vehicle used to transport the supposed ex-Marines during their press conference was registered under Defensor’s wife.
When asked about this, Defensor did not give a categorical answer and instead questioned why he was being monitored.
“Hindi ko nga alam kung paano nila nalaman. Iyon pala, sinu-surveillance pala nila. Hindi na nila kailangan i-surveillance, tawagan lang nila ako,” he said.
Baligod has called on Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla to investigate the claims.
The Ombudsman’s office said it will assess the merits of the affidavit and the credibility of the former military personnel.