There are indicators that the testimonies of the 18 supposed bagmen of former lawmaker Zaldy Co were ‘coached’ and ‘coordinated,’ National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag said on Monday.
He disclosed these indicators during the Senate blue ribbon committee meeting on the flood-control probe, citing the NBI’s assessment.
‘The political context shows that this is a coordinated operation, not independent whistleblowing,’ Matibag said in Filipino.
He explained that the political context, in this case, includes changes to the affidavits in response to the change in Senate leadership.
‘Because it is being coached, it depends on the person’s political belief. For example, in the first affidavits that were released, the two Senators were mentioned, but when the Senator’s alliance changed, the affidavit changed, and more personalities were added,’ Matibag said in Filipino.
Earlier, Levito Baligod, the lawyer of the 18 individuals, rebuked the testimony, claiming that Sen. Loren Legarda received cash-filled luggage, contrary to the initial publicized version of the affidavit.
Legarda is among the 12 senators allied with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.
Matibag also mentioned testimonies alleging that Baligod had been providing monetary allowances.
‘What are the signs that this is coordinated? They say that they are all from White Plains… and then someone also admitted that someone is giving money, like an allowance, to Atty. Baligod,’ he said in Filipino.
Matibag also read a line from the testimony, which stated: ‘Baligod suggested to [Johnny] Buduan that the 18 should stay at Baligod’s residence.’
Buduan is one of the 18 individuals who claimed to be a former employee of Co.
The NBI director further cited testimony from the affidavits regarding the date the 18 men began meeting and the claim that it was Baligod who approached them.
‘There is testimony there that they have been together since November. The testimony came out in February. This means they created a narrative,’ Matibag said in Filipino.
‘Please take note that they were not the ones who approached Atty. Baligod, but Atty. Baligod approached Buduan, and Buduan recruited those who would join,’ he added.
Baligod has since accused Matibag of using fake documents, but Matibag did not directly respond to the allegation, saying Baligod has been inconsistent.