Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Friday, August 7, urged authorities to investigate both the contradictory statements made by the “Maleta Boys”—18 individuals claiming to be former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co—and the individuals potentially orchestrating their allegations.
Lacson issued his statement following recantations by four group members regarding earlier claims that suitcases filled with cash were delivered to various figures as kickbacks from illegal flood control projects.
According to the senator, these retractions have further obscured the truth due to differing accounts shared across multiple platforms.
”First question that needs to be answered is – are these four part or outside of the eight reported earlier to have submitted their sworn statements to the Ombudsman which triggered the initiation of the preliminary investigation against former Speaker Martin Romualdez, et al?” Lacson said.
”Sa dami kasi ng flip-flopping statements nila sa iba’t-ibang fora at venues, hindi na natin alam kung ano na ang totoo at hindi sa mga sinasabi nila at kung sino-sino sa kanila ang nagsasabi ng totoo at hindi,” he added.
Lacson pressed investigators to unmask and hold accountable the individuals behind the group’s public statements.
”Dapat ding tugisin at papanagutin sa batas ang mga nasa likod ng gulo at confusion na nilikha nila. I hope the authorities will track and make them answerable as well,” he said.
The senator previously expressed skepticism regarding the logistical feasibility of the alleged ₱805-billion cash delivery scheme, noting that moving ₱805 billion in paper bills would weigh approximately 805 metric tons and require 53.6 metric tons of empty suitcases, excluding the time required to count, repack, and move the funds.
”To be clear, while every imputation of a crime warrants our attention, none deserves our blind deference. In the same manner that everyone has a right to be heard, it is not a license to mislead. Hence, while I reserve judgment on the merits of the testimonies, I am duty-bound to raise questions of logic and – at the very least – basic mathematics,” he stated in a March 2 privilege speech.
Lacson estimated that if cash deliveries began in 2023, the process of unloading, counting, repacking, loading, and delivering would extend until mid-2028. Even if the operations started in mid-2022—when Co took over as chair of the House Committee on Appropriations—the timeline would still stretch into mid-2027, requiring roughly 1,610 round trips to and from Co’s residence to move ₱500 million daily.
He also questioned Co’s role if the former lawmaker received no portion of the kickbacks, asking, “(w)as he just a messenger?”
Additionally, Lacson previously noted the possibility that the 18 men were tied to a potential Senate destabilization attempt on June 8, which was averted after Senate President Win Gatchalian instituted stricter security measures.