PADILLA HOSTS 18 ALLEGED BAGMEN AS HEARING PROCEEDS

The 18 alleged bagmen who claim to be former Marines, together with their legal counsel Levito Baligod, appeared at the Senate on Monday—but not for the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the controversial flood control projects.

Instead, the group visited Sen. Robin Padilla, who described them as his “guests.” Padilla said he was informed of their arrival and personally met and escorted them inside the Senate premises.

The visit came as Acting Senate President Win Gatchalian expressed disappointment over the absence of the 18 alleged bagmen, Baligod, and other key personalities invited to attend the committee hearing. According to the Blue Ribbon Committee secretariat, none of them responded to the invitations.

Padilla, however, said it was up to his guests whether they would attend the hearing led by committee chair Sen. Erwin Tulfo.

The group has been linked to allegations involving the delivery of cash-filled luggage to several government officials, including senators and congressmen, supposedly under the employment of former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co.

Despite their presence inside the Senate complex, the group did not participate in the committee proceedings as lawmakers continued their investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.