The 18 alleged bagmen, claiming to be former Marines, along with their legal counsel Levito Baligod, arrived at the Senate on Monday to visit Sen. Robin Padilla, and not to attend the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the flood control controversy.
Padilla called them his ‘guests.’
He said he was informed of their arrival and personally met and escorted them inside the Senate premises.
The senator said it is up to his guests whether or not they would attend the panel’s probe, presided by its chair, Sen. Erwin Tulfo.
The group has been linked to allegations involving the delivery of cash-filled luggage to several government officials, including senators and congressmen, reportedly under the employment of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.