Eighteen individuals claiming to be ex-Philippine Marine Corps personnel, accused of delivering kickbacks to officials, arrived at the Senate to face the Senate blue ribbon committee investigation into anomalous flood control projects. NBI Director General Melvin Matibag also attended. The hearing implicated Senators Erwin Tulfo and Vicente Sotto III.
The 18 individuals who claimed to be former personnel of the Philippine Marine Corps who allegedly delivered kickbacks to government officials arrived at the Senate on Monday to face the Gatchalian bloc-led Senate blue ribbon committee investigation into anomalous flood control projects.
Baligod and the 18 alleged ex-Marines to go up to his office, as could be seen in his Facebook live. Earlier, the Senate panel initially deemed the group absent. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano earlier warned the group that the June 8 flood control probe is unauthorized. National Bureau of Investigation Director General Melvin Matibag also arrived at the chamber to attend the probe.
"This is the legitimate blue ribbon committee so we have to be here," he told reporters in a chance interview. Aside from the 18 alleged former Marines, other resource persons who were invited in the legislative inquiry were former House speaker Martin Romualdez, ML Party-list Representative Leila de Lima, and Fr. Flavie Villanueva, among others. Last week, the bloc led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano held its own blue ribbon committee probe.
During the hearing, the 18 alleged former Marines implicated some incumbent lawmakers in the flood control mess such as Senators Erwin Tulfo and Vicente"Tito" Sotto III.
Please follow us on Google to support us Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Kickbacks Flood Control Philippine Marine Corps
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Senate leadership dispute intensifies over quorum interpretationA heated debate erupted in the Philippine Senate as lawmakers argued over the constitutional quorum required to elect the Senate president. Senator Cayetano cited the Constitution, Senate Rules and even the Bible, claiming a 13‑member quorum is needed, while a minority bloc invoked a 1949 Supreme Court ruling that a 12‑member majority suffices. The clash raises concerns about a protracted rift ahead of the 2026 State of the Nation Address.
Read more »
Major General Vicente Blanco III Dismisses Allegations Made by Former MarinesMajor General Vicente Blanco III has dismissed the allegations made by former Marines against several personalities, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Senators Vicente Tito Sotto III and Erwin Tulfo. Blanco emphasized that the Marine ethos and esprit de corps are time-honored and unquestioned, and that an individual who was Discharged Without Honor could not claim the adage Once a Marine, Always a Marine to lend credence to his actions. The involvement of the three retired Marines in the recent presscon called by a private lawyer was entirely of their own choosing, and that they did this on their own personal volition, Blanco added.
Read more »
Sara Duterte Visits Baybay City After Ex-Marines Senate HearingVice President Sara Duterte made an unannounced visit to Baybay City, Leyte, a day after 18 ex-marines testified in a Senate hearing. She attended Brigada Eskwela, prayed at Pomponan Church, and joined aid distribution. The visit is seen as politically significant as the welcoming barangay chair is from a family opposing the ruling Cari clan, aligned with the Dutertes. The ex-marines' allegations target Marcos-Romualdez allies and Duterte critics.
Read more »
New Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Inspects Senate Premises Ahead of Flood Control Scam HearingRetired Police Major General Alfredo Sotto Corpus, newly appointed Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, was seen checking the Senate premises. K-9 units were deployed for security ahead of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the flood control scam, chaired by Senator Erwin Tulfo. The hearing was moved to Monday, June 8.
Read more »