Testimonies of 8 bagmen to be used vs Romualdez

The Office of the Ombudsman will use the testimonies of eight of the 18 self-proclaimed bagmen of former congressman Zaldy Co in a case being prepared against former speaker Martin Romualdez, after finding their accounts of alleged cash deliveries “consistent and categorical.”

- By DAPHNE GALVEZ and DELON PORCALLA

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said investigators arrived at the decision after interviewing Co’s former bodyguards and observing their body language and demeanor.

“The investigators seem to find those narrational facts as they relate to the money being delivered to the former speaker and to Zaldy Co categorical and consistent. They are of the opinion that we can use it,” he said at a press conference.

The ombudsman has been interviewing the 18 former bodyguards of Co, but Clavano said only the testimonies of eight of them could be worth considering.

“The others were broad statements, descriptions that were made in broad strokes,” he said.

He lamented that their investigation and case buildup are getting delayed as the former bodyguards’ lawyer Levito Baligod has yet to make them sign their affidavits.

He said the affidavits were supposed to be signed as early as June 20 but they asked for an extension for a week.

"He (Baligod) seems to be delaying the signatures of the 18 Marines. That's one of the things that is delaying the case also against the former speaker," Clavano said.

No evidence?