MANILA — The lawyer representing 18 former bodyguards of ex-Congressman Zaldy Co on Thursday dismissed suggestions that the alleged Senate threat being investigated is connected to his clients.

In a report, it siad that speaking at the Office of the Ombudsman during a fact-finding inquiry, Atty. Levi Baligod, who appeared alongside former bodyguard Johnny Buduan, described the allegations as baseless.

“Naniniwala ba kayo kay (Do you believe in) Win Gatchalian at (NBI Director Melvin) Matibag? Puro kasinungalingan ‘yung sinasabi nila (What they’re saying are all lies). It’s funny,” he said.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian had earlier alleged that a Senate threat was relayed through the National Bureau of Investigation.

Baligod rejected the claim and said his group had instead been subjected to background checks by intelligence authorities.

“I don’t know people of their stature supposed to be engage in such inane accusations. We do not know violence, we do not know dissidence,” he said.

He also said they were open to participating in hearings of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chaired by Sen. Erwin Tulfo.

At the Ombudsman, Baligod said they are complying with the directive of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla for the 18 former bodyguards to submit individual affidavits regarding alleged kickbacks in flood control projects involving several lawmakers.

The Ombudsman has issued subpoenas to at least five of the former bodyguards, requiring them to appear on June 11, 15, and 16.

“Each of the 18 will share to the Ombudsman investigators everything that they know. Because in the joint affidavit, we just provided a glimpse just to warrant an investigation,” Baligod said.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said it is still too early to determine whether the fact-finding investigation could lead to possible charges.

“It’s too early to tell. Let’s allow the investigators to gather as much information as they can before making any conclusions. There are teams on the different persons under investigation. So, they will all ask questions relative to those cases,” he said.