Imee seeks Senate inquiry on ‘money delivery scheme’

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Imee Marcos has filed a resolution seeking to investigate the alleged cash deliveries from flood control kickbacks, even if it means implicating her brother, the President.

Marcos held a press briefing yesterday to push for Senate Resolution 317, seeking an inquiry into the “money delivery scheme” alleged by former military personnel hired by fugitive ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co.

She said a Senate inquiry would provide a chance for her colleagues implicated by the alleged soldiers to give their side.

“Let’s open this at the Senate and examine the suitcase of truth. Trial by publicity cannot happen,” Marcos said.

According to Marcos’ resolution, the alleged former Marines are Belnard Tube, Rosebert Waupan, Benny Bulontate, Johnny Buduan, Rodante Orbillo, Christopher Esquivel, George Villalon, Jr., Romeo Rommel Bobares, Gil Navidad Jr., Anselmo Taberdo, Walter Manalansan, Joely Cadiao, Cecilio Larroder Jr., Bernard Gumban, Crisanie Dado and Fidel Corpuz; Rommel Galapon, a former enlisted personnel in the Philippine Army; and Reyneboy Julian, a reservist in the Philippine Army.

They alleged that flood control kickbacks were delivered to the house of Co, to the Aguado House in Malacañang and even to the Marcos mansion in Ilocos Norte, supposedly for the President’s son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos.

“The allegations in the joint affidavit are extremely alarming and serious, involving dozens of lawmakers, Cabinet officials, high government officials and even the President himself,” the senator said in her resolution.

She wants to look into their claims that Co shouldered the accommodations of International Criminal Court probers in the country, with the help of former senator Antonio Trillanes IV.