Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon on Saturday challenged 18 individuals claiming to be former Marines to repeat their corruption allegations during the official Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing scheduled for Monday, June 8.
Speaking at the Saturday News Forum, Ridon emphasized that the upcoming session, chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo, will serve as the proper venue to evaluate the credibility of the witnesses under oath and under full congressional scrutiny.
“This is a challenge to the 18 former bodyguards. Magpakita sila doon sa Monday, Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing ni Blue Ribbon Chair Erwin Tulfo. Ulitin po nila lahat ng mga binanggit po nila, nito po ang nagdaang pagpapulong,” Ridon said.
The lawmaker pointed out that unlike previous informal discussions, Monday’s proceedings will be officially recorded by the secretariat, ensuring that all testimonies carry legal weight.
“’Yung mga meetings sa Lunes will be made under full secretariat, will be made under oath, kasi ito naman po yung talagang aktual na pagpupulong,” the lawmaker explained.
“So ibig sabihin, if they can subject themselves to congressional scrutiny under an official proceeding, like what will happen on Monday, then doon natin na mate-test kung talaga bang may kredibilidad ‘yung kanila pong sinasabi at hindi po sila nagsisinungaling,” he added.
Ridon warned that if the group fails to show up, it would strongly indicate that their previous claims were completely fabricated.
“Pag hindi po sila sumipot doon, e malinaw na malinaw. Wala akong kredibilidad. Purong kasinungalingan po yung ginawa po noong nagdaang pagpupulong,” he said.
During the same forum, Ridon firmly denied accusations from the group that he received a suitcase filled with cash linked to a flood control scandal.
He rejected the allegations detailed in an affidavit from the June 4 proceedings, maintaining that he has never accepted any form of illicit payment or kickback.
The 18 self-identified former Marines, along with several other individuals and government agencies, have been formally invited to attend the June 8 hearing to place their testimonies on the official congressional record.