Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Speaks on Claims of Alleged 18 Former Marines
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President cited the alleged silence of several concerned groups on the claims of alleged “ex-marines”.
Recently, the claims of a lawyer and 18 individuals who claimed that they are former marines who are ex-staff of former House Budget Appropriations Committee chairman Zaldy Co gathered different opinions. The men claimed that they were allegedly ordered by Co to make cash deliveries.
According to the alleged 18 ex-marines, the resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Representative supposedly ordered them to deliver cash to some individuals including Pres. Bongbong Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Both the President and the former House Speaker were previously tagged by Co in the flood control mess. The 18 ex-marines also claimed that Ombudsman Boying Remulla allegedly met with former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and the investigators of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Ombudsman Boying Remulla previously confirmed that he, indeed, met with the ICC personnel in 2025. However, according to the country’ chief graft-buster who is also the former head of the Department of Justice, the said meeting was supposedly after the arrest and the transfer of custody of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
“Sinabi ko nakausap ko. Ano ngayon? Tapos na ata yung pangyayari nun, nung kinakausap namin – 2025 yun nung kinausap namin. After March. Wala pang isang taon yun, sigurado ako,” the Ombudsman said.
Amid the different opinions surrounding the allegations of the supposed 18 former marines, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte noted the alleged silence of some concerned groups. Based on a report on GMA News, the Vice President cited the civic society leaders, the members of the religious groups, as well as the lawmakers.
Duterte claimed that the concerned groups usually gives immediate statements on certain issues in the country then. Based on the report, the Vice President cited the religious leaders who stand up on morality issues and lawyers who say that they are for transparency and accountability.
“Sadyang nakakabingi ang katahimikan ng mga civil society groups na dati ay mabilis maglabas ng pahayag, ng mga religious leaders na handang manindigan sa usapin ng moralidad, at ng mga mambabatas na nagsasabing sila ay para sa transparency at accountability,” she expressed.
Based on the report, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte also claimed that the Marcos Jr. administration allegedly has no interest nor immediate steps to investigate the corruption issues in the government. She also claimed that the current admin allegedly does not find ways to check on the impeachment moves against her.
Previously, another former staff of Zaldy Co who was presented by Senator Rodante Marcoleta also spoke on the flood control issue.