Davao City Councilor Paolo Duterte Applauds Ex-Marines for Courageous Testimony on Alleged Money Suitcases
Davao City First District Councilor Paolo “Pulong” Duterte has expressed his profound respect and admiration for the 18 former marines who have come forward with explosive allegations regarding the delivery of suitcases filled with money to high-ranking government officials. In a strongly worded statement issued on March 3, 2026, Duterte emphasized that these former uniformed personnel have risked their lives by sharing their firsthand accounts, which he described as sworn testimony rather than mere gossip or fabricated news from online sources.
Criticism of Political Response and Record-Clearing Actions
Duterte did not hold back in his criticism of the politicians implicated in this scandal, noting that their reactions have been characterized by a troubling pattern of silence, outright denial, and the deliberate removal of Representative Bong Suntay's manifestation from the official House of Representatives records. He likened these actions to a student caught cheating who desperately tries to destroy the evidence by tearing up an exam paper, suggesting a blatant attempt to conceal the truth.
"The Filipino people are not stupid. If you have nothing to hide, why are you so terrified of the manifestation? Why silence a fellow lawmaker? Why sanitize the records? What are you so afraid of — the truth?" Duterte declared, questioning the motives behind the hurried clearing of the House journal. He added that while lines may be deleted from official documents, the lingering doubts and questions in the minds of the public cannot be so easily erased.
Connection to Broader Political Issues and Impeachment Complaints
Duterte also drew attention to the timing of this controversy, pointing out that it has emerged amidst a highly charged political atmosphere fueled by impeachment complaints filed against his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte. He argued that such impeachment proceedings should be based solely on concrete evidence and constitutional grounds, not on unsubstantiated claims involving suitcases and clandestine transactions. He urged those involved to welcome a thorough and transparent investigation if they truly have clear consciences, rather than selectively addressing only certain issues.
Furthermore, Duterte recalled how public attention had previously been focused on trillion-peso flood control anomalies in the country. He suggested that individuals implicated in those projects might now be relieved, as the uproar over the alleged money suitcases has effectively diverted scrutiny away from the flood control issue, thereby shifting the national discourse.
Details of the Ex-Marines' Affidavit and Ongoing Investigations
To provide context, the 18 former marines signed a notarized affidavit alleging that they personally transported an enormous sum of cash, reportedly totaling P805 billion, to prominent officials including President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and various members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. According to their sworn statement, these deliveries were allegedly carried out under the instruction of former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co.
Following this revelation, lawyer Levi Baligod, representing the former marines, submitted the affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman on February 28, 2026, formally requesting an investigation into the allegations against lawmakers and government officials accused of receiving the money. In response, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla announced in an interview on 24 Oras that he intends to secure individual affidavits from each of the 18 former marines to corroborate their claims.
Remulla has also indicated plans to set a specific date for the former uniformed personnel to formally submit their affidavits and has expressed his desire for the Blue Ribbon Committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into their statements. This development underscores the seriousness with which the allegations are being treated and highlights the potential for significant political ramifications as the probe moves forward.
