Matibag: Alleged bagmen’s testimony ‘weak,’ ‘mostly hearsay’

MANILA, Philippines — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag pressed on Monday that the testimonies of the 18 self-proclaimed bagmen of former Rep. Zaldy Co are “weak” and “mostly hearsay.”

Matibag asserted this during the Senate blue ribbon committee’s consultative meeting on its flood-control probe.

“The majority of the statements are hearsay so the evidence is weak… The reports mentioned that the personal knowledge of each affiant is limited. The remaining assertions are hearsay,” Matibag told the panel.

READ: Tulfo rejects ’18 Marines’ label, calls alleged bagmen ‘kargadors’

In his presentation, citing the NBI’s assessment, Matibag said that of all the testimonies, only 10 to 20 percent are based on personal knowledge, but the rest are “hearsay.”

“For example, there was a witness who said, “Estrada told me there was a cash delivery,” “I didn’t see it myself,” and also didn’t see the contents of the suitcases – based solely on what their companions said or what was texted in their group chat,” Matibag added.

Even worse, Matibag said that there was “double hearsay,” which further weakens the credibility of the testimonies.

“There are pieces of information that have passed through two or more people before arriving at the affidavit… The credibility of this statement is further weakened because it is not based on direct experience… Many assertions come from group Viber chats, or from executive assistants, not from the affiant’s own experience,” the NBI director explained.

“Hearsay is inadmissible and has no independent probative weight,” Matibag continued.

READ: Baligod: ‘Ex-bagmen’ did not deliver to Legarda 

He also noted the lack of physical evidence to support the allegations, despite being given ample time to gather such.

“The absence of documentary evidence is not only a weakness, but a direct failure to comply with the legal directive,” Matibag said.

Further review of the testimonies, Matibag pointed out, showed that most mentions of the supposedly cash-filled luggage delivered are not backed by personal observation.

Citing the affidavits, Matibag recalled: “The contents of the bag are often only guessed at. They are not actually seen. For example, witnesses may say the bag is heavy and believe it contains money, but there is no actual inspection or opening of the bag.” /das