A man newly presented as a former courier for ex-Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co pointed to Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero during a press conference organized by former lawmaker Mike Defensor, alleging the senator was among those sent suitcases stuffed with cash tied to the flood control kickback controversy.
The accusation surfaced Tuesday, June 16, as Defensor again gathered individuals described as one-time members of Co’s security detail to air claims about how funds from anomalous infrastructure projects were allegedly distributed. The latest figure introduced at the gathering was presented as another self-confessed “bagman” willing to name recipients of the money.
Escudero has faced flood-control allegations before. The Office of the Ombudsman is weighing a plunder complaint against the former Senate president, with its investigators alleging he indirectly took kickbacks totaling P586 million from various projects. Those findings rested largely on the testimony of former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who identified businessman Maynard Ngu — a friend and 2022 campaign donor of the senator — as the person who allegedly received the funds on Escudero’s behalf.
The senator has consistently rejected the accusations. In his counter-affidavit, Escudero said he never authorized Ngu to act for him and that the complaint produced no evidence he personally received any money. He has also argued that Bernardo, who admitted to handling more than P1 billion in kickbacks, bears greater culpability than anyone else implicated.
Defensor’s events have repeatedly run into official resistance. Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson Sen. Erwin Tulfo disowned the June 16 activity ahead of time, warning the public that no Senate hearing had been scheduled and that circulated claims of an official proceeding amounted to misinformation. Tulfo cited chamber rules requiring a three-day notice and a distributed agenda before any committee session can convene.
The National Bureau of Investigation has separately questioned the credibility of the men Defensor has fielded. Director Melvin Matibag said an informant reported that Defensor offered P5 million to each of 18 alleged ex-Marines to make accusations against various personalities — a claim Defensor has dismissed as hearsay. The bureau also determined that several of the 18 never served as Co’s close-in guards and that some were never soldiers at all.
The 18 men first drew public attention in February, when they claimed to have moved P805 billion in alleged kickbacks from flood control projects to officials and other figures. That assertion set off the chain of complaints, denials, and subpoenas that continues to define the scandal.
