Former Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor on Friday fiercely refuted allegations that he offered ₱5 million each to members of a group known as the “18 former Marines” to testify about alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
In a radio interview, Defensor dismissed the accusations as completely fabricated.
“Mukhang imahinasyon na naman ‘yung nangyari,” he said.
“Walang batayan, kwento lang talaga,” he added.
The issue surfaced after National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag disclosed on Thursday that a relative of one of the supposed former Marines came forward, claiming the group was promised money for their involvement.
Defensor cast doubt on the legitimacy of the claims, labeling them as “double hearsay” after personally reviewing the affidavit in question.
“Nabasa ko mismo ‘yung affidavit na parang ang nangyari kinuwento supposedly ng isang son-in-law double hearsay. Ikinuwento at ‘yun nga raw may ₱5 million daw na ibinigay at hindi pa raw buo na binibigay,” he said.
He emphasized that the claims are based entirely on secondhand rumors rather than firsthand accounts from the actual individuals involved.
“Walang sundalo na nagkwento at kwento lang na narinig niya daw doon sa kanyang father in law na kasama sa 18 Marines. Kaya nakakatawa itong kwentuhan na ito kasi… talagang gawa-gawang kwento, walang batayan para mabigyan ng pagkakataon na pakinggan o bigyan ng batayan sa isang kaso,” he added.
Despite receiving an NBI subpoena earlier this week, the former lawmaker questioned why the bureau would act on an unverified narrative.
“Ang nakakagulat ay kung bakit ito’y pinagbigyan ni Atty. Matibag ng NBI na parabang kwento lang na narinig niya, na ikinuwento sa kanya,” Defensor said.
“Paano ito magiging isang kaso o pwede mong sabihin na pwede mong ilabas na para bang isang salaysay na ibabahagi mo sa taumbayan na walang kakwenta-kwenta at walang batayan?” he added.
Defensor stated he would consult his legal counsel before deciding whether to comply with the subpoena, which orders him to appear before the NBI’s Office of the Special Action Division on June 10. He also urged the agency to make the affidavit public.
Furthermore, Defensor denied acting as the “handler” for the group making the flood control accusations, clarifying that he had no involvement in their public statements.
However, he vowed to continue supporting the former Marines, referencing the case of former Marine Sgt. Orly Guteza—a whistleblower from a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing last September who has reportedly been missing since being detained.
“Pero patuloy kong sasabihin tutulungan ko ang mga taong ito. Kung ano ang ilalabas nila alalayan ko sila. Kasi nga yung nangyari kay Sergeant Orly Guteza na matapos magsalita nawala na lang. Hindi na natin nakita at noong una akala ko protection ngayon pala ang lumalabas nagkaroon ng detention,” he said.
Defensor claimed that several people have offered assistance and security to the former Marines following Thursday’s hearing.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, led by Senator Erwin Tulfo, is set to continue its inquiry on June 8, with the group invited to attend.