NBI PROBES 18 ALLEGED EX-MARINES WHO CLAIM THEY WERE BAGMEN IN P805 BILLION FLOOD CONTROL KICKBACK SCANDAL — MARCOS, ROMUALDEZ, CO NAMED

Eighteen men walked into NBI headquarters on March 12. Sixteen of them, anyway.

The group — claiming to be former Philippine Marines — first surfaced at a February 24 press conference at Club Filipino in San Juan City, organized with help from former congressman Mike Defensor and led by lawyer Levito "Levi" Baligod. Their joint affidavit, filed with the Ombudsman on February 28, alleges they served as couriers and security aides for resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy "Zaldy" Co, delivering cash-filled suitcases as kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects.

The alleged total: P805 billion.

THE CLAIMS AND THE NAMES

Baligod calculated the figure at roughly 70% of the P1.3 trillion flood control budget. Each suitcase allegedly held around P48 million. Deliveries allegedly happened three to four times per week, with no fewer than 20 bags per trip. Cash reportedly originated from Co's Valle Verde Phase 6 home in Pasig City, with some deliveries using airplanes and helicopters.

The affidavit names President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the alleged "mastermind." Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Co are named as co-recipients. National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano is alleged to have attended a meeting with Romualdez and received money — which Ano denies entirely. The affidavit also names Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr., Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia, and MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III, among others.

BALIGOD: THE LAWYER BEHIND IT

Baligod is not unknown. He was counsel for pork barrel scam whistleblowers during the Napoles era — most notably Benhur Luy, who exposed Janet Lim-Napoles' P10 billion PDAF scandal. Both Luy and another whistleblower, Merlina Sunas, dropped Baligod as their lawyer in 2014. He is currently running for representative of Leyte's 5th District.

At the same press conference, Baligod alleged that $2 million was funneled to former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV for ICC investigators. Trillanes denied this and filed perjury and cyberlibel cases. Baligod also acknowledged an "oversight" in initially naming former Rep. Leila de Lima as a suitcase recipient — later modifying the claim to a "paper bag" at a meeting. De Lima denied involvement and filed cyberlibel charges.

THE NBI SUBPOENAS AND MARCH 12

The NBI, deputized by the Ombudsman, issued subpoenas on March 5 to approximately 25 people — the 18, Baligod, Defensor, Bishop Efraim Tendero (the affidavit witness), and others.

On March 12, 16 of the 18 appeared. Two were absent — one because his wife was giving birth, per Baligod. He did not explain the second absence.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag requested each of the 18 to submit individual sworn statements by March 17. The Ombudsman's office separately demanded 18 distinct affidavits instead of the single joint filing. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano: "A collective recounting of facts diminishes credibility."

THE CREDIBILITY PROBLEM

The Philippine Navy verified that four of the 18 were never members of the Navy or Marine Corps. Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Andres-Martinez confirmed this from official records. A majority of the rest were dishonorably discharged. Marine Corps Commandant Maj. Gen. Vicente MAP Blanco III confirmed only three were actually retired Marines, calling the group "unworthy of our respect."

NBI Director Matibag disclosed on March 11 that a retired general from PMA Class of 1975 recruited the group — not just the 18, but 103 individuals total. Thirty-eight accepted positions as "security aides" for Co. The NBI identified the general but has not named him.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the group's actions "appeared to be motivated by political interests" and noted six of the signatories face murder charges.

Bishop Tendero, the affidavit witness, said he does not know the group personally. He did not appear at the NBI on March 12 — his lawyer came instead. Matibag called it his "first time seeing" such an arrangement.

THE COUNTERATTACK AND THE BIGGER PICTURE

NSA Ano filed charges of unlawful means of publication and unlawful utterances on March 4, then added cyber libel and perjury on March 11. Trillanes, de Lima, Fr. Flavie Villanueva, and Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. have all filed separate criminal complaints against the group.

These allegations sit inside an already massive scandal. The flood control budget from July 2022 to May 2025 totaled P545.6 billion. At least 421 projects have been flagged as ghost projects. The Sandiganbayan on March 7 upheld rulings against former Sen. Bong Revilla and Co in related graft cases, and dismissed Co's motion to avoid being labeled a fugitive. Co left the Philippines in July 2025 and is believed to be in Portugal.

Senator Ping Lacson's partial Blue Ribbon Committee report has secured only four of nine required signatures — Lacson, Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, and Kiko Pangilinan. Three senators who previously signed a draft withdrew: Juan Miguel Zubiri, JV Ejercito, and Win Gatchalian. Congress is expected to adjourn this month.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro called the allegations a "lousy script" and implied a destabilization plot. The February 24 press conference fell on the eve of the 40th EDSA anniversary and during ICC confirmation of charges hearings against former President Rodrigo Duterte. Lacson publicly noted the timing.

March 17 is the next date — when the group is expected back at NBI with individual affidavits and what Baligod calls additional evidence.