Sotto, Tulfo to file raps vs ‘ex-Marines’, Baligod over kickback claim (original) (raw)

Senators Erwin Tulfo (left) and Vicente “Tito” Sotto III

MANILA, Philippines — Senators Erwin Tulfo and Vicente Sotto III said they will pursue legal action against the 18 alleged former Marines, as well as their lawyer, Levi Baligod, who linked them to flood control projects kickbacks from former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.

In separate messages to the Inquirer on Friday, the two senators confirmed their plan following a Senate hearing where some of the alleged former Marines claimed that cash-filled suitcases had been delivered to them.

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Tulfo said he will file “libel on Monday after the [blue ribbon committee] hearing in the morning.”

Asked if he will also file cases against Baligod and his clients like Tulfo, Sotto replied: “Yes, I’m just collecting the narratives they said… Cyberlibel possibly. It’s stronger and easier to prove.”

Sotto and Tulfo said they were linked to the issue because of politics.

“They thought I would run in 2028 as president or VP because of the recent Pulse Asia Survey where I topped the survey for VP,” Tulfo said.

Meanwhile, Sotto alleged that it involved both his son, Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, and his nephew, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.

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“The first thing that comes to mind is that they want to damage my reputation so that Gian and Vico will be affected,” he said.

“Defensor wants to run as QC mayor, and the Discayas are connected to their group,” Sotto added, referring to former congressman Mike Defensor and spouses Curlee and Sarah Discaya, political rival of Vico Sotto.

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For his part, Defensor said he has not given the 2028 elections much thought as he is focused on “making those involved in corruption accountable and ensuring that the government retrieves the stolen money.”

He likewise told the Inquirer, “I have nothing personal against Sen Tito Sotto nor against Vice Mayor Gian Sotto. I still consider them as friends but I cannot control what the Marines have stated.”

Allegations against Sotto, Tulfo

The allegations against Tulfo and Sotto surfaced during Thursday’s hearing on alleged flood control anomalies conducted by the bloc aligned with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, which continues to challenge the Senate reorganization that elected Tulfo as chairperson of the Senate blue ribbon committee.

The hearing was presided over by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and proceeded despite objections from senators aligned with the chamber’s new leadership.

During the hearing, alleged former Marine Bernard Gumban claimed that he delivered cash-stuffed luggage twice to what he was told was Tulfo’s residence in Greenhills.

He said that the first delivery involved two small suitcases and the second involved six more pieces of luggage.

Another alleged former Marine, Belnard Tube, claimed that he and his companions delivered two pieces of luggage containing cash to a building in Baclaran, supposedly received by Sotto’s assistant, “Mark.”

Both Tulfo and Sotto have denied the allegations.

Tulfo previously described the claims as “a blatant lie,” while Sotto pointed out that his assistant Mark had died years before the supposed transaction took place.

“I really haven’t been paying attention to that, but they keep repeating it,” stressed Sotto.

The 18 alleged former Marines, represented by Baligod, have claimed they served as “bagmen” for Co and delivered money to various politicians and public figures.

Baligod has yet to respond to the Inquirer’s request for comment on Tulfo and Sotto’s planned legal action against him and the 18 alleged former Marines as of posting time.

‘Denials not enough’

Meanwhile, Marcoleta asserted that Senate reorganization last Wednesday was meant to “silence” the blue ribbon panel, noting that the group of Sotto resorted to “naked power grab” to stop the Thursday hearing and silence the 18 alleged former marines.

“For a long time, we were challenged to present evidence. Now that witnesses are coming forward and speaking under oath, there are blatant attempts to stop them from being heard,” Marcoleta said in a separate statement.

Marcoleta also said that the allegations made by the witnesses will be subject to a full and impartial investigation. Aside from Sotto and Tulfo, Tube also claimed that they delivered money to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his son Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

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“The public deserves a fair, independent and transparent probe. Mere denials are not enough,” Marcoleta added. / gsg /apl