Eighteen alleged former bodyguards of fugitive congressman Zaldy Co arrived at the Senate but refused to attend the Blue Ribbon Committee’s consultative meeting led by Sen. Erwin Tulfo, questioning the panel’s authority over the flood control scam investigation.
Instead, the group, accompanied by lawyer Levito Baligod, held a separate press conference and claimed they would testify before a different hearing reportedly to be led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, although this has not been confirmed.
Tulfo ordered the witnesses to be brought to the proper venue, but later suspended the meeting due to respect for earthquake victims in Mindanao.
Some of the men retracted earlier allegations implicating certain senators, while others maintained their claims but faced renewed scrutiny over credibility.
Tulfo also announced legal action against three of the witnesses for alleged defamatory statements, as questions continue over the authenticity of their testimonies.
Source: PhilNews24 | June 9, 2026
