Witnesses claim suitcases of cash delivered to top officials, lawmakers

Individuals identifying themselves as former Marines alleged during a Senate hearing on Thursday that they participated in the delivery of suitcases containing money to various political figures, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Senator Erwin Tulfo, Representative Leila de Lima, and former Representative France Castro.

Testifying before a hearing on the flood control controversy chaired by Senator Pia Cayetano, witness Johnny Buduan claimed that in 2022, he and others transported five suitcases to Ilocos Norte. Buduan said, “Ikinarga po namin sa Lexus na bulletproof at saka bina-backupan po namin ng Hilux na bulletproof din.”

When asked who the delivery was intended for, Buduan said he was told it was meant for President Marcos. Buduan also said their group brought the suitcases only as far as “Delta Gate,” while individuals identified as Sgt. Belnard Tube and “Boss Zaldy” allegedly continued the trip to Ilocos Norte.

Tube testified that he later traveled to Paoay but could not identify the exact address because they arrived at night. He described the destination as a waterfront residence displaying photographs of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and members of the Marcos family.

Tube further claimed that Representative Sandro Marcos, President Marcos, and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos arrived at the residence during their visit. “Noong dumating po kami, sila-sila lang po. Nauna po si Cong. Sandro, then next po si President, then si First Lady.”

He added that the group stayed overnight before returning to Manila.

Malacañang rejected the allegations and challenged the witnesses to present proof. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said accusations alone were insufficient.

“Pakita muna nila ‘yung ebidensya. Madali kasing magturo, lalo na kung ang balak mo lang naman talaga ay mang-giba at magsilbing isang obstructionist or destabilizer. So, dapat patunayan nila. Bigyan nila tayo ng dokumento at hindi ‘yung salita lamang.”

Buduan also alleged that Leyte Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was among those who received suitcases. He claimed he took part in deliveries of approximately 60 to 70 “maletas” several times each week.

Romualdez denied the allegation, stating that he never received luggage filled with money and had never benefited from kickbacks related to infrastructure projects.

Another witness, former Marine Benny Boluntante, alleged that cash deliveries connected to flood control funds were made to locations associated with Romualdez. He claimed the deliveries began after Zaldy Co assumed the chairmanship of the House Committee on Appropriations in September 2022.

"Yung sa kay dating Speaker Martin Romualdez po, nag-umpisa noong umupo si Cong. Zaldy Co as chairman of appropriations simula September hanggang matapos yung termino niya po."

Boluntante said, "Simula September 2022 sa 14 Narra St. po kami nagde-deliver hanggang 22-23 December po. 42 McKinley Road." He further alleged that deliveries resumed at the Narra Street address. "2024 po hanggang natapos ang termino niya Boss (Zaldy Co) sa 14 Narra St. na po."

According to Boluntante, a house steward named Jocelyn and other caretakers accepted the packages at the McKinley Road property. He also claimed he joined an advance team sent to a building in Baclaran allegedly linked to Sotto.

“Nauna kami sa area kasi in-advise-an kami ng team leader namin na mag-proceed na sa building ni Tito Sotto sa Baclaran.” He alleged that five large suitcases were delivered there in 2024 and that the luggage contained cash.

Sotto dismissed the accusation, noting that he was not a senator between 2022 and 2025 and that the aide allegedly named in the testimony had died years earlier.

"I will not dignify such because I was not a senator from 2022 to 2025. The name they mentioned na EA ko daw na tumanggap ay is Mark. Mark died in 2015." He also described the proceedings as "a bogus investigation in aid of destabilization."

During the hearing, testimony also touched on Senator Erwin Tulfo. Witness Bernard Gumban claimed he personally participated in two deliveries allegedly intended for the senator.

Gumban said one delivery involved two suitcases while another involved six pieces of luggage delivered to a residence in Greenhills. Asked how he knew the house belonged to Tulfo, he said he was informed by a person identified as Mark Tecsay.

Tulfo denied the allegation, arguing that the witness had contradicted his own earlier statements. "Una, sabi niya sa kanyang naunang sinumpaang salaysay, nag-deliver raw siya sa akin ng anim na medium-sized na maleta. Ngunit, galing na mismo sa kanyang bibig kanina na dalawa (2) at anim (6) na maleta ang kanyang idinedeklara."

"Pangalawa, pati sa halaga ng diumano’y nilalaman ng mga maleta, NAGKAGULO-GULO NA. Sabi dati, kapag small, 15 to 25 million ang laman tapos ngayon, 20-25 million. Samantalang sa medium, 30 to 40 million sa affidavit, tapos 40-50 million naman ngayon. ANO BA TALAGA?"

Tulfo said the witnesses selectively named individuals and argued that the proceedings amounted to a propaganda campaign. "Walang puwang sa Senado ang mga fake news at trolls. Sana nag-FB Live na lang kayo. Magkita-kita tayo sa lehitimong Blue Ribbon committee hearing."

De Lima and Fr. Flavie Villanueva have previously denied the allegations and filed a complaint against the 18 personalities and their lawyer, Atty. Levito Baligod.

In a joint statement, Castro, Manuel, and Brosas rejected the accusations as baseless and politically motivated.

"All they have are conjectures, vague insinuations, and outright lies, because they have no evidence of any wrongdoing by Makabayan. Anyone can produce a photo and make an outrageous claim, but these so-called witnesses have failed to present an iota of evidence that will hold up in any court. Nandadamay lang para sa kanilang pro-Duterte agenda."

They also maintained that Makabayan lawmakers could not have benefited from the alleged flood control scheme because they did not sponsor infrastructure projects.

Several other current and former lawmakers were also mentioned during the hearing, including Representatives Zia Alonto Adiong, Joel Chua, Janette Garin, Benny Abante, Gerville Luistro, Jose Alvarez, and former legislators Stella Quimbo, Terry Ridon, Ace Barbers, and Dan Fernandez.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said the allegations raised during the hearing were serious and referred to the partnership between Sotto and former senator Ping Lacson in previous investigations.

“Mabigat sa atin 'to, dahil pinaniwalaan natin 'yung Blue Ribbon Committee na pinamunuan ni Sen. Lacson, but everyone knows mag-partner talaga 'yan, si Sen. Tito Sotto at Sen. Lacson.”