Matibag: NBI received info that Defensor bribed ‘18 ex-Marines’ P5M each
MANILA, Philippines — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Thursday revealed that they have received information that former congressman Mike Defensor bribed each of the “18 ex-Marines” P5 million to testify in the flood control anomalies.
In a press conference on Thursday, Matibag said a relative of one of the 18 alleged Marines reached out to them to allegedly reveal the information.
“Former congressman Mike Defensor was named as the one who offered the amount, P5 million, to be a witness and come out and hold a press conference,” Matibag said.
“So, what we did was, we took the statement. And the statement of this individual was signed, recorded, and is here with us,” he added.
He also said the NBI has issued a subpoena to Defensor and the supposed Marine, directing them to appear to shed light on the issue.
Based on the subpoena issued dated June 2, Defensor and the alleged Marine are directed to appear before the NBI headquarters in Pasay City at 10 a.m. on June 10.
READ: Matibag: Only 6 of 18 ‘ex-Marines’ signed statements at NBI
When asked about the dynamics of how the money was allegedly offered, Matibag said, “This person has a statement that says it’s like initially P700,000 and that he’ll be paid in tranches.”
“They have already received some. It seems like they are saying P700,000 and then P350,000. It seems like they are doing a pay-by-installment,” he also noted in an ambush interview after the press conference, adding that “the P5 million has not yet been completed.”
He said that the supposed initial payment occurred before the 18 supposed ex-Marines’ first public appearance in February.
As for the relationship aspect, the NBI director said the individual who gave the testimony is the partner of a child of one of the 18 alleged former Marines.
“They have children. So one of the 18 Marines here has a grandchild with this person. So they live together at home, so the testimony has some credibility,” Matibag said in the press conference.
“And when we looked at the statement, it turns out that this person really knows the details,” he added.
The NBI also later released a copy of the sworn statement dated April 28 and a supplemental affidavit dated May 6 from the supposed relative of one of the “18 ex-Marines.”
READ: The NBI releases a copy of the sworn statement and supplemental affidavit from a relative of one of the “18 ex-Marines,” alleging that former congressman Mike Defensor bribed each of them P5 million to testify in the flood control anomalies. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/gzCwB5ZVru
— MJ Salcedo (@MJSalcedoINQ) June 4, 2026
Defensor: ‘That’s nonsense’
Meanwhile, Defensor described the allegations against him as “nonsense” that is being used to discredit the supposed 18 former Marines.
“They are doing that to discredit the Marines as if they were paid to speak. But you can see clearly, what they said was very natural,” Defensor said in Filipino.
He also pointed out that the NBI should use its resources to investigate the “corruption” in the country.
“For example, CCTV, deliveries [of alleged money], where are those addresses, and what kind of car was used? They should use this kind of government money and funds for the real robbery,” he said.
“It’s not like this, where every time someone talks, it’s like the enemy is the one who is doing it and then they slander them and now they’re issuing a subpoena, that’s nonsense,” added Defensor.
Defensor said he did not yet receive the subpoena but noted that “there is no problem about attending.”
The “18 ex-Marines” are currently at the Senate, as they were invited to the blue ribbon committee’s hearing on the flood control controversy.
During the hearing, the 18 alleged ex-Marines denied being bribed by Defensor.
“We are now persevering with eating only sardines, Your Honor,” one of the supposed 18 former Marines said when asked by Senator Marcoleta about the report.
“If we had been paid that much, our lives would have been much better now,” he added.
Prior to this, the “18 ex-Marines” appeared before the NBI twice in March amid the bureau’s investigation into their testimonies.
On Feb. 24, counsel Atty. Levito Baligod introduced the 18 individuals as former Marines who claimed they had served as “bagmen” for Co and delivered P805 billion in alleged kickbacks from anomalous flood-control projects.
Baligod also alleged that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. masterminded the scheme and claimed the funds were distributed to several other personalities, including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Co. /das /cb
