A new witness presented by Atty. Levito Baligod and former congressman Mike Defensor raised fresh allegations involving several public officials during a gathering that was intended to serve as a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.
The witness, identified as Jeron Valderama, a former member of the Philippine Marine Corps and an alleged former bodyguard of former congressman Zaldy Co, claimed to have personally witnessed the delivery of money to several public figures.
Valderama alleged that Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia received approximately P10 million contained in a hand-carry bag. He also claimed that he and others delivered cash to Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero at the senator’s residence.
The witness further alleged that cash was delivered to broadcaster Mon Tulfo in Quezon City.
During the presentation, a photograph showing employees of Misibis Aviation and Development Corporation, a company linked by the witness to Co, was also shown. The image included Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, his wife Sharon Cuneta, and their children. No allegation was directly stated in the report regarding the photograph beyond its presentation during the proceedings.
Valderama also repeated allegations that money had been delivered on several occasions to other officials, including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Sen. Erwin Tulfo.
Meanwhile, separate allegations were raised against former Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre. According to statements made during the presentation, Torre allegedly approached certain witnesses and offered money, mobile phones, and employment opportunities in exchange for affidavits that would contradict the earlier testimony of Orly Guteza.
The allegations were presented publicly during the gathering. No court ruling, official finding, or independent verification of the claims was cited in the report, and the individuals named were not reported to have issued responses during the proceedings.
