A group of 18 men identifying themselves as former soldiers has accused George Erwin Garcia, chairperson of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), of receiving suitcases filled with cash during alleged meetings with former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co.
In a joint affidavit filed Thursday before the Office of the Ombudsman, the group claimed that two meetings were held at Midas Hotel in Pasay City.
According to the affidavit, Garcia was allegedly handed two medium-sized suitcases per meeting, each supposedly containing up to ₱40 million.
“Nagkaroon ng dalawang meetings si Zaldy Co at George Garcia sa Midas Hotel at sa bawat meetings na ito ay binigyan si…Garcia ng tig-dalawang medium-sized na mga maleta o may kabuuan na apat na mga maleta ng pera,” the affidavit stated.
The men said they witnessed the alleged transfers at the hotel’s parking area.
“Pinapalipat lamang ni Mark Ticsay at Paul Estrada ang mga maleta mula sa sasakyan namin papunta sa sasakyan ni… Garcia sa carpark habang karamihan sa amin ay nakamasid lamang,” they added.
Mark Ticsay and Paul Estrada were identified as aides of Co and had earlier been mentioned by another former soldier, Orly Guteza, in Senate testimony regarding alleged suitcase deliveries of cash.
Lawyer Levi Baligod, representing the group, submitted the affidavit to the Ombudsman to seek an investigation into possible criminal liabilities of public officials allegedly involved in the transactions.
The 18 men introduced themselves as former members of the Philippine Marine Corps who had worked as security and logistics staff for Co. However, the Philippine Navy clarified that four of them were never enlisted, while several others had been dishonorably discharged.
In the same affidavit, the group further alleged that they had transported vast sums of money—estimated at up to ₱805 billion—to various high-ranking government officials.