Former bodyguards of fugitive, resigned Ako-Bicol partylist representative Zaldy Co have implicated Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia and Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan in the delivery of cash-filled luggage, as part of a government probe into corruption involving anomalous flood control projects.
In a press conference on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, lawyer Levi Baligod, legal counsel of individuals claiming to be former security aides and bagmen of Co, presented four new witnesses who allegedly participated in delivering cash-filled suitcases to several personalities.
One of them, Jeron Valderama, claimed to have directly taken part in delivering millions of pesos in cash inside luggage to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senator Erwin Tulfo, and Garcia.
Also presented during the press conference was a photo of Pangilinan and his wife, Sharon Cuneta, together with Co’s staff. In a social media post, Cuneta labeled the claims of Co’s former bodyguards as “lies,” stating the photo was taken in Marawi when they visited local government officials to seek support for her husband.
“Mga sinungaaaaling!!!!!!! Sobra talaga kayo!!!!! I vlogged about this visit my family and I made to Marawi to thank the governor, mayor, and other officials and their families for their support for Kiko. Talaga ba, magbibigay kayo ng maleta sa amin sa Marawi pa???!!! Ang kakapal ng mukha ninyo talaga sukdulan!!!” said Cuneta.
“Eto nagtetaping pa ako ngayon -- nagbabanat pa rin ng buto at lumalaban ng patas, dahil lahat ng meron kami, pinaghihirapan namin!!! Hindi kami tulad ninyong mga sinungaling!!! Kaya sabi nga nila, kapatid ng sinungaling and magnanakaw!!!” she added.
They also showed a photo of the bodyguards together with former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, now Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Nicolas Torre III, whom they earlier claimed had talked to them and convinced them not to belie the statement of Orly Guteza.
Guteza, during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing in 2025 on flood control anomalies, claimed to have served as a bodyguard of Co. He was the first to reveal the alleged delivery of cash, which they called “trash,” placed inside suitcases to Romualdez.
Another alleged former bodyguard of Co claimed to have delivered four cash-filled suitcases to Escudero at his house in New Manila in 2024. He said they even ate a meal at Escudero’s house along with his helpers.
Mario Ceniza, who was among the alleged former bodyguards of Co, also claimed to have delivered money to journalist Arnold Clavio and columnist Mon Tulfo upon Co’s orders. Clavio and Tulfo vehemently denied the allegations.
“Lies. Nakakatawa. Nakakalungkot. Pero lahat ng ito ay haharapin ko nang walang takot. Talk is cheap. Bago ang dada, ebidensya muna,” said Clavio. (Lies. It's funny. It's saddening. But I will face all of this without fear. Talk is cheap. Before making accusations, present the evidence first.)
The 18 so-called “ex-marines” appeared before the Senator Pia Cayetano-led Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on anomalous flood control projects on June 4, where they named several personalities who allegedly received luggage containing millions in cash. However, they skipped the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee consultation meeting on flood control anomalies chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo on June 8. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)
