Jesus Crispin Remulla questioned the credibility of an affidavit submitted by 18 individuals who identified themselves as former members of the Philippine Marine Corps and claimed involvement in alleged cash deliveries to government officials.
The former soldiers stated in their affidavit that they had delivered suitcases filled with money, supposedly coming from former Zaldy Co. The claims have circulated amid ongoing political discussions and allegations involving government officials.
Remulla described the affidavit as a “canard,” a term used to refer to a fabricated or baseless story. He raised concerns about the statements contained in the document, particularly a claim that he had supposedly met with investigators from the International Criminal Court at his residence in Makati.
The Ombudsman strongly denied that such a meeting ever took place. According to Remulla, the allegation involving the ICC investigators was false and unsupported.
He also emphasized that affidavits should only contain statements based on the personal knowledge of the individuals signing the document. Remulla said the claims raised questions about whether the affidavit complied with that principle.
In light of the controversy, the Ombudsman said he wants the former Marines who signed the affidavit to appear before the Senate to testify about their statements. Their appearance, he said, could help clarify the circumstances surrounding the claims and allow lawmakers to examine the details directly.
The affidavit has drawn attention due to the serious allegations it contains, including the supposed delivery of large amounts of cash to certain government officials. However, Remulla maintained that the statements must be properly scrutinized and verified.
He reiterated that claims included in sworn statements must be supported by firsthand knowledge and credible evidence, especially when they involve accusations against public officials and institutions.
