Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan strongly refuted allegations that he accepted a suitcase filled with cash tied to former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, dismissing the claims as a politically motivated smear campaign.
The accusations were leveled on Tuesday, June 16, by a group of 18 individuals claiming to be former bagmen for Co.
In a press conference organized by former Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor, the group alleged they delivered the money to the senator, offering photographs of his home and various pieces of luggage as evidence.
Pangilinan countered on social media, asserting that the allegations are a deliberate effort to undermine his credibility just as he prepares to chair the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee’s upcoming inquiry into corruption within state flood control projects.
”Puro pasaring. Puro alegasyon. Puro palabas. Gusto lang mantsahan ang naiulat na pag-upo ko bilang chairperson ng Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee na mag-iimbestiga sa flood-control scam,” Pangilinan remarked.
The lawmaker maintained that the claims are entirely fabricated and manufactured solely to tarnish his reputation.
”Wala ni katiting na basehan ang mga tangkang pagdungis sa aking pagkatao ng mga nagpa-presscon tungkol sa mga maletang kaugnay sa bilyon-bilyong pisong ninakaw sa kaban ng bayan,” he added.
Expressing deep frustration over his family being dragged into the issue, Pangilinan warned that he will pursue formal legal actions against his accusers to hold them accountable in court.
”At dahil dinamay niyo pa ang pamilya ko, makakatikim kayo ng hindi pasaring, alegasyon, o palabas na kaso sa korte. Pananagutan ninyo ang paninirang ginagawa niyo,” he stressed.
The political dispute unfolds as the Senate readies for a high-profile investigation into a multibillion-peso flood control infrastructure scandal, which Pangilinan’s subcommittee is tasked to lead.