Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday suggested that fresh allegations tying officials to an alleged ₱805-billion cash kickback scheme could be part of a destabilization attempt, pointing to what he described as “suspicious timing.”
Lacson said he has formally asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to verify the identities and service records of 18 individuals from the Philippine Navy and Army who surfaced at a press conference in Club Filipino, San Juan City.
At the briefing, lawyer Levito Baligod and the 18 alleged former Marine personnel claimed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. received suitcases of cash from former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co as part of his supposed share in irregular flood control projects.
Lacson raised concerns not only about the credibility of the claims but also about their broader context.
He noted that the accusations coincided with the International Criminal Court’s confirmation of charges proceedings related to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war, and came just a day before the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
“Kasi timing ng ICC confirmation of charges, ang timing din ngayon Feb. 25 ang 40th anniversary ng EDSA. So ano ang sa akin… mukhang may political color, not just political color, mukhang may destabilization na aspect,” Lacson told reporters.
He added that any next steps would hinge on the AFP’s findings regarding the identities and backgrounds of the individuals involved in the allegations.