MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman said the testimonies of eight former bodyguards of Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co may be used in the case being prepared against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez over the alleged flood control kickback scheme.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said investigators found the accounts of the eight former bodyguards to be consistent and categorical, particularly on allegations involving the delivery of money.

“The investigators seem to find those narrational facts as it relates to the money being delivered to the former speaker and to Zaldy Co categorical and consistent… but as for the rest… we will not focus on that,” Clavano told reporters.

“The investigators have been able to study the body language, the demeanor of the affiance, and they are of the opinion that we can use it,” he added.

In a report, it said that Clavano said only the affidavits of the eight former bodyguards are being considered because the others allegedly had no firsthand knowledge of the actual delivery of the money.

However, he said the Ombudsman is still waiting for lawyer Levito Baligod, counsel for the eight individuals, to sign their affidavits before the statements can be formally used in the investigation.

“They asked for a week extension. June 20 pa sana napirmahan kasi that was the time na nandito sila na kumpleto na yung walo, pero hanggang ngayon hindi pa napipirmahan,” Clavano said.

“He seems to be delaying the signatures of the 18 Marines. That’s one of the things that is delaying the case also against former speaker,” he added.

Earlier, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the office also intends to use the testimony of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan in its investigation into the alleged conspiracy to defraud the government involving Romualdez.

Meanwhile, Baligod said the 18 former bodyguards are willing to execute separate affidavits detailing their allegations that they delivered suitcases containing kickbacks from flood control projects to several lawmakers.

Baligod made the statement after accompanying one of the former bodyguards, Johnny Buduan, who appeared before the Ombudsman as part of its fact-finding investigation.

His remarks came after Remulla said individual affidavits, rather than a joint affidavit, would carry greater evidentiary value.

“They should all issue individual affidavits,” Remulla said.

Baligod said submitting separate sworn statements is the proper procedure during an investigation.

“This is the correct process. ‘Yung hinihingi ni Ombudsman noon na dapat mag-prepare kami ng individual affidavits, ‘yan talaga ang process in front of the investigators,” Baligod said.

During his testimony, Buduan said he personally delivered about 20 suitcases to a congressman at the latter’s residence on Nov. 21, 2023, but declined to identify the recipient.

“Isa lang po ‘yung actual na napag-deliveran ko,” Buduan told reporters after the investigation.

He said the suitcases contained Post-it notes indicating amounts such as PHP40 million and PHP50 million and that he made only one such delivery.

Buduan is expected to return to the Ombudsman to continue his testimony.

Clavano said four more former bodyguards have been invited to testify next week, while Baligod said all 18 former bodyguards are prepared to appear individually or in pairs in succeeding hearings.

Asked whether the testimonies could lead to the filing of cases, Clavano said it is still too early to draw conclusions.

“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.