MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson has launched a preliminary review of claims that former military personnel delivered billions of pesos in cash to senior government officials, allegedly under the direction of former Representative Elizaldy Co.

The review comes ahead of the formal filing of a Senate resolution directing the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which Lacson chairs, to investigate the matter.

“We will evaluate first the source of information, which in this case are the 18 alleged Marine personnel who appeared at a press conference last Tuesday. Second is the reliability or credibility of the information itself, meaning the content of their affidavit,” Lacson said.

On Wednesday, Senator Imee Marcos filed Senate Resolution No. 317 seeking an inquiry in aid of legislation into the alleged cash delivery scheme. The resolution was referred to the Blue Ribbon Committee.

The resolution cited a Feb. 24 press conference where 18 supposed former Marines claimed they delivered billions of pesos to officials’ residences, including those of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Lawyer Levito Baligod, who presented the alleged ex-Marines, also claimed that Co and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV funded expenses for International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators while in the Philippines.

Lacson has asked the Philippine Navy and Army to verify the records of the 18 supposed ex-Marines, noting that many were dishonorably discharged and some were never members of the service.

He also questioned the reported amount of P805 billion, noting it accounts for over 70 percent of the P1.13 trillion allocated for flood control projects from 2023 to 2025. Lacson said the figures do not match the documented project costs or admitted kickbacks involving former DPWH officials.

“The numbers just don’t add up,” Lacson said, pointing out that transporting P805 billion in cash would require at least 13,416 large suitcases, each holding P50–70 million.

Lacson further raised concerns about the timing and location of the press conference, noting it occurred at Club Filipino on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the EDSA-1 revolt and amid the ICC’s confirmation of charges hearings on Duterte-era drug operations.

“Ang pino-project doon, napaka-corrupt ng ICC. Nilagyan ng $2M allegedly through former Sen. Trillanes,” he said.

“Sa akin, mukhang not just may political color, mukhang may destabilization aspect,” Lacson added, suggesting the press conference may have been intended to influence public perception and political stability.