A Catholic priest honored for his work with families left behind by the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign was among more than a dozen people the 18 self-described former Marines tagged on Thursday as recipients of cash they claim to have hand-delivered.
Fr. Flaviano “Flavie” Villanueva, the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay awardee, was identified during the Cayetano-led bloc’s Senate hearing alongside a roster of current and former lawmakers spanning the administration and the opposition. His inclusion stood out sharply given his public profile as an advocate for the relatives of those killed in the war on drugs.
The witnesses ran through a long list of names. Among sitting House members they pointed to were Leila de Lima, Sandro Marcos, Terry Ridon, Gerville Luistro, Benny Abante, Zia Adiong, Jose Alvarez, and Joel Chua. The former representatives they named included France Castro, Arlene Brosas, Ace Barbers, Dan Fernandez, Raoul Manuel, and Stella Quimbo, with Janette Garin also among those cited.
The breadth of the list cut across political lines, sweeping in figures from the progressive Makabayan bloc — Castro of ACT Teachers, Brosas of Gabriela, and Manuel of Kabataan — as well as allies and relatives tied to the President’s circle.
These accusations build on the joint affidavit the group submitted earlier this year, in which they described moving some P805 billion in flood control kickbacks between 2022 and 2025 on behalf of fugitive former Ako Bicol representative Elizaldy Co. The cash, they said, was packed into suitcases and ferried to its recipients.
Doubts about the men have shadowed the proceedings. The Philippine Navy has disputed their claimed status, stating that most were dishonorably discharged and that four never served in the naval infantry at all. The National Bureau of Investigation separately found that only six of the 18 had signed statements before it.
Several of those previously named have moved against the accusers in court, with perjury and cyber libel complaints already filed by officials who reject the claims outright.
