Remulla links Romualdez camp to 3 ‘maleta’ boys’ recantation

MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday alleged that the camp of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez was behind the decision of three of the four men to retract their claims that they had delivered “maleta” (suitcases) containing cash to the former House speaker.

The four men, who identified themselves as former bodyguards of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, signed affidavits withdrawing allegations they had made in earlier sworn statements against Romualdez, Co, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., GMA News reported Thursday.

Romualdez and Co were accused of alleged “concerted and coordinated acts” in “unlawfully amassing, accumulating, and acquiring ill-gotten wealth” amounting to approximately P56 billion from 2022 to 2025, some of which were purportedly delivered by the bodyguards through suitcases.

In their complaint-affidavits, Ombudsman investigators cited the testimony of three of the four bodyguards who recanted their statements.

**Ombudsman to still use affidavits **

That being said, Remulla said the recantations do not weaken or strengthen the Ombudsman’s complaint against Romualdez, as the official noted that their testimonies were backed up by other evidence.

“The affidavits are there for us to use, and we will use them. If they want to recant it, so be it, but it will be in the court already,” Remulla said in a press conference.

“Recantations are frowned upon by the courts,” he said.

Remulla said the recantation “just points out to the fact that there are people working to obstruct the ends of justice.”

“You will really see how desperate that camp is to take away the witnesses against them because we have built a solid case already,” he said.

When categorically asked if he is referring to Romualdez, Remulla said: “The camp of former Speaker Romualdez. His lawyers. His strategists. His advisors.”

Pressed once more if he is referring to the camp of Romualdez, Remulla said: “Of course! Of course! Who else? Who else would benefit if they recant?”

Romualdez rejected Remulla’s accusations, saying that it was “absolutely not true” and “trumped up.”

“This shows how extremely prejudiced he is against me,” Romualdez said in a statement. “The recantations prove what I had been saying all along: that the accusations against me are false and trumped up.”

“I will not be intimidated. I will face every accusation against me, defend myself with the facts, the evidence, and the truth,” he noted.

**Bribe attempts **

Previously, there were attempts to bribe the “maleta” boys, according to their legal counsel Levito Baligod.

“For a long time, there were attempts to bribe them,” Baligod said in an ambush interview in Las Piñas City.

Baligod, however, could not say for certain if those who recanted were indeed bribed.

But Baligod said: “One of them texted me, saying ‘Sorry, sir, because of the temptation I am experiencing.’”

In February, Baligod submitted a single joint affidavit of 18 bodyguards to the Office of the Ombudsman.

At that time, Remulla said each of the 18 should submit their respective separate affidavits, saying that a joint narration of facts on such matters cast doubt on their credibility.

Of the 18, the Ombudsman only obtained the separate affidavits from only eight of them. Three of the four personalities who recanted are part of those eight, since the other one did not submit a separate affidavit.

The four recanters said they signed the joint affidavit filed by Baligod because of an alleged promise of financial assistance, according to the GMA report. However, the three personalities said they submitted their separate affidavits on their own volition.

Baligod denied their accusations.

“Well, I’ve already told them my advice since they informed me that they will give in to the other side, and I understand their situation,” Baligod said.

“But they should not say that I’m making money off of them, or that we wanted to carry out a scam so they made the [joint] affidavit, or that they were forced or intimidated, or that I promised them a lot of money,” he added.

Remulla also cast doubt on Baligod’s credibility.

“Baligod is a colorful, a very colorful character,” Remulla said. “That’s what he is.”

Asked if he thinks Baligod remains trustworthy despite the recent development, Remulla said: “Was he ever?”

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