Several incumbent and former lawmakers were identified by individuals presented as former Marines during the continuation of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation into the alleged flood control fund anomaly being conducted by the faction allied with embattled Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
Among those mentioned during the hearing were Senators Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Erwin Tulfo, as well as Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos.
Two of the former Marines claimed before the committee that they personally delivered cash-filled suitcases to Sotto and Tulfo. One witness alleged that he brought five suitcases containing an estimated ₱40 million to ₱70 million to Sotto in 2024, prior to the start of the election campaign period.
During the proceedings, Cayetano referred to the testimony and stated:
“Mabigat sa atin ito, dahil pinaniwalaan natin yung Blue Ribbon Committee na pinamunuan ni Sen. (Ping) Lacson, but everyone knows mag-partner talaga ‘yan, si Sen. Tito Sotto at Sen. Lacson.”
The Senate inquiry into the allegations resumed on June 4.
The witnesses also identified several other current and former public officials, including Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante, Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Adiong, Palawan 2nd District Rep. Jose Alvarez, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin, former ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, former Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, former Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel, former Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Ace Barbers, former Santa Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, former Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, and Fr. Flavie Villanueva.
During the hearing, witness Rosebert Waupan admitted that the inclusion of De Lima’s name on the list may have been an error.
Senator Rodante Marcoleta questioned Waupan regarding De Lima’s alleged involvement, pointing out that she was not yet serving as a member of the House of Representatives during the period under discussion.
Waupan subsequently acknowledged that he may have confused De Lima’s position at the time and conceded that her inclusion among the names mentioned could have been mistaken.
De Lima has previously rejected the allegations linking her to the supposed kickback scheme.
As of posting time, the claims raised during the Senate hearing remain unverified. No documentary evidence has yet been publicly presented to support the accusations, while several of the individuals named have denied the allegations or have not yet issued official statements.