Barbers: Blue ribbon talks meant to divert attention from impeachment

MANILA, Philippines — The hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee which featured claims from the alleged 18 Marine officers is only meant to divert attention from Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment, former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said on Thursday.

In a statement, Barbers said that the proper forum to discuss the allegations from the 18 alleged Marines and their lawyer, Levy Baligod, is in court, and not during public hearings.

However, even with this attempt to divert discussions from Duterte’s impeachment, Barbers said he is confident that the people “can discern that the show is about discrediting” the House of Representatives and even the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“While I cannot comment on the case I filed against these people, I would like to point out that the ongoing meeting is a serious political destabilization effort and meant to divert attention from the impeachment of VP Sara to the alleged flood control scandal,” Barbers said.

“The people can discern that the show is about discrediting the House of Representatives as well as the ICC. The proper fora for such show are the local courts under whose jurisdictions the cases now fall and the ICC that has already ruled time and again as to its jurisdiction over complaints against former President Rodrigo Duterte,” he added.

According to Barbers, the alleged former Marines kept on claiming that they handed out money in suitcases but not one of them actually saw money.

“This is the tone now being sung by these people. Imagine their statements as to the source of the alleged payout money. Not a single one of them ever saw nor touched the alleged money. All they are saying are maletas, paper bags and envelopes,” he said.

“Any lawyer worth his salt will never dignify such storytelling-a lie by any witness. I hope that the proper courts are taking note of this charade in the name of justice,” Barbers added.

Aside from Barbers, several lawmakers have already denied receiving money from paper bags or suitcases. Earlier, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said that the testimony made by Jowly Cadiao — one of the alleged 18 former Marine officers — is a mere lie because no suitcases of money were delivered to him at any time or place.

According to Ridon, no amount of lies would stop Duterte’s impeachment trial.

During the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing spearheaded by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s group, the names of Barbers, Ridon, and other lawmakers were mentioned by the members of the supposed 18 former Marine officers as recipients of money from ex-Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co.

READ: ‘Ex-marines’ repeat kickback claims; Sotto, Tulfo named

This claim was originally made last February, which was immediately disputed by the lawmakers mentioned. Last Feb. 25, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong labeled the allegations as complete rubbish, noting then that the timing of the accusation was questionable, as it came while key members of the Duterte family were being scrutinized.

According to the lawmaker, the Philippine Navy’s earlier statements that four of the 18 individuals were never members of the service, while the “majority” were dishonorably discharged, should speak for themselves.

READ: Adiong: Timing of 18 Marines’ claim solons got cash from Co is suspect

Other lawmakers like Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima labeled the allegations as a mere demolition job. According to de Lima, accusations that she was among the individuals who received the suitcases are “preposterous” and were timed after two Dutertes — former President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Duterte — were set to face the complaints against them.

READ: More solons question timing of cash suitcases issue

Former President Duterte’s counsel participated in the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmation of charges hearings last February, while the younger Duterte’s impeachment hearing was set to start back in March.

Duterte was eventually impeached by the House last May 11 with 257 lawmakers voting in favor of adopting House Resolution No. 989, which contains the Articles of Impeachment against the vice president.

Duterte’s trial before the Senate Impeachment Court is expected to start by July 6. /das