MANILA — Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said he is seriously considering filing a libel case against individuals accusing him of receiving cash-filled luggage, saying the allegations have escalated into a broader issue affecting Senate proceedings.

Adiong, who serves as spokesperson of the House prosecution panel in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, is among lawmakers accused by a group of 18 former Marines of allegedly receiving cash delivered on behalf of former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.

“Nung unang lumabas ‘yan, hindi ko pinansin ‘yan kasi sabi ko sobrang kalokohan naman ‘yan(The first time that came out, I ignored that because I said that’s pure nonsense),” Adiong said in a radio interview.

He said he had previously been advised by lawyers to pursue libel charges but initially dismissed the allegations as baseless.

Adiong said he is now reconsidering legal action after the issue was elevated to a wider forum.

“But now that they have tried to move this to another level, I think I’m now contemplating on filing them a serious charge, libel,” he said.

He also argued that the controversy has gone beyond personal accusations and is now affecting institutional work in the Senate.

“Parang hindi [lang] nila inatake ‘yung individual na ((It’s like they are not only attacking individuals who are) perceived to be their enemies, but they’re also hostaging the Senate,” Adiong said.

The lawmaker said the situation is delaying legislative priorities, including the proposed KALINGA Act and other measures under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

“So, this is no longer personal. This is about the country not moving forward. So, it’s pure BS,” he said.

Adiong also questioned the renewed push for a Senate inquiry, noting that some senators previously declined to sign a partial report under then-Blue Ribbon Committee chair Senator Panfilo Lacson.

He further pointed out that the former Marine officers behind the allegations reportedly refused to execute sworn affidavits for inclusion in the Senate record.

“Eh mismong ang mga Marines, ayaw naman nila mag-sign ng affidavit nila as part of the official record ng Senate. Ayaw nila dahil ayaw nilang makasuan sila ng perjury. Ayaw nila mag-perjure. Anong klase ‘yan (The ex-Marines, themselves, didn’t want to sign their affidavit as part of the official record of the Senate. They didn’t want to because they don’t want to be accused of perjury, they don’t want to perjure. What kind is that)?” Alonto Adiong said.

He maintained that the public has largely dismissed the allegations and described them as an attempt to derail accountability efforts.

“So ang gusto nila is mag-build up ng (So what they want is to build up) PR stunt to derail, to confuse the public and derail itong usapin ng (this issue of) accountability against the Vice President,” Adiong said.

“But the people knew that these people were nothing but for a PR stunt,” Adiong added.