The legal counsel for the individuals known as the “Maleta Boys” clarified on Friday that Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan was never accused of accepting money from a purported kickback scheme linked to flood control projects.
In a television interview, Atty. Levito Baligod explained that while Pangilinan’s photograph was displayed during a slide presentation at a press briefing on Tuesday, its inclusion was widely misunderstood.
Baligod emphasized that the alleged former bodyguards of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co did not implicate the senator in the delivery of cash-filled suitcases.
“Prinesent yung picture niya doon… Walang sinabi yung mga (dating) sundalo. Kaya sabi ko doon sa nag-ooperate ng mga presentation ng slides, ‘Move forward, move forward,’” Baligod said when asked whether the witnesses had accused Pangilinan of accepting money.
The clarification followed a firm denial from Pangilinan, who announced intentions to take legal action against the group. The “Maleta Boys” previously claimed they helped transport suitcases filled with payoffs destined for various public officials.
The senator’s wife, Sharon Cuneta, also defended their family on social media, stating that their wealth was built entirely through legitimate hard work over the years.
Baligod specified that Pangilinan’s picture was only meant to show that helicopters and planes linked to Co were used during the election campaign.
He added that he quickly ordered the team to skip the slide because it had nothing to do with the bribery allegations.
“Yung paggamit nga nila ng helicopter and the airplane during the campaign. And, I hope na-declare yan sa SOCE (statements of contributions and expenditures),” Baligod said.
The lawyer dismissed rumors that the witnesses had altered their stories, reiterating that his clients never accused the senator of any wrongdoing in the first place.