Manila: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has found that allegations of cash deliveries in the flood control controversy remain unproven due to the absence of independent evidence, corroborating documents, and witnesses with personal knowledge. During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's consultative meeting, NBI Director Melvin Matibag stated that the joint affidavit submitted by a group of former bodyguards of fugitive lawmaker Zaldy Co was insufficient to establish probable cause, noting that most of the statements were based on hearsay rather than on what the affiants personally witnessed.
According to Philippines News Agency, Matibag emphasized the lack of documents, devices, or physical evidence supporting the allegations, such as CCTV footage, receipts, or cellular phone records. The evidence, he noted, consists only of verbal statements. Matibag mentioned that the NBI provided the group with ample time to submit corroborative evidence, whether testimonial, material, or physical, but no such evidence was forthcoming.
The affidavits revealed that several witnesses did not personally see the contents of the bags they claimed were used in cash deliveries, Matibag added. He highlighted that only a small portion of the statements, approximately 10 to 20 percent, were based on personal knowledge, while the majority relied on accounts allegedly heard from group members, executive assistants, or group chats. This, he said, weakened the probative value of the affidavits, especially since the statements were not subjected to cross-examination.
The credibility of the group was further questioned due to their use of the 'ex-Marine' label, as the NBI found that not all members were former Marines, and some had been dishonorably discharged. Matibag underscored that in court, evidence, not labels or titles, holds significance.
Matibag also pointed out signs of coordinated testimony, describing the affidavit as stemming from a collective narrative rather than independent recollections. He noted that coordinated statements do not automatically constitute reliable evidence, particularly when it is unclear where personal observation ends and a rehearsed narrative begins.
Senator Erwin Tulfo, chairperson of the Blue Ribbon Committee, mentioned that the 18 former bodyguards and their lawyer, Levito Baligod, were invited to the consultative meeting but did not attend. Reports indicated they were inside the Senate building at the office of Senator Robinhood Padilla but declined to participate in the meeting. Tulfo stated that the committee would extend another invitation once it is fully constituted and proceeds with formal hearings.
