Manila: House prosecution panel adviser and spokesperson Ace Barbers announced on Friday that the decision by four members of the group known as the 'Maleta Boys' to retract their previous allegations involving multibillion-peso flood control project kickbacks indicates their use as 'pawns' in a deliberate effort to discredit senior government officials and the House prosecution panel managing the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
According to Philippines News Agency, Barbers stated at a press conference that the recantations were likely motivated by the individuals' consciences and the failure of those who recruited them to deliver on alleged promises of security and financial compensation. Barbers emphasized that the retractions reveal a premeditated attempt to spread false allegations against key government figures and undermine the impeachment process.
The 'Maleta Boys' consist of 18 men who claimed to be former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. They alleged involvement in transporting cash-filled suitcases to public officials concerning Duterte's impeachment. However, four members have now withdrawn their claims in notarized affidavits, disassociating key figures including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez from the alleged bribery scheme.
The men revealed they were recruited by lawyer Levito Baligod, who purportedly promised them substantial monetary rewards. Rosebert Macasasa Waupan, one of the recanting members, disclosed financial promises to support their families for two years. In a televised interview, the four disclosed that they were coerced into signing pre-drafted affidavits under threat of countercharges.
Waupan's affidavit further implicated former congressman Mike Defensor and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta as prominent figures expected to oversee the group's operations. The group's decision to recant reportedly took two months due to safety concerns for their families. Moreover, several of the remaining members are reportedly considering their own retractions.
Prior to these retractions, the Department of Justice had filed criminal charges against all 18 men and Baligod, involving cyber libel and perjury counts. Barbers, who was also implicated in the original allegations, reiterated that the recantations reinforce the belief that the accusations were unfounded and part of a hastily organized destabilization effort.
Barbers urged the four individuals to identify those orchestrating the sworn statements and encouraged other members who may have been misled to also come forward. He called for evidence to corroborate their new claims to prevent unjust impact on those named in the initial affidavits.
