Ex-Marine revives claim Makabayan solons frequently received ‘paper bags’ after meetings with Cong. Zaldy Co

MANILA, Philippines — New allegations involving former Makabayan bloc lawmakers surfaced during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on June 4, after former Marine Bernard Gumban testified that several Makabayan bloc partylist lawmakers were among those that held frequent meetings with House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Zaldy Co.

Gumban claimed under oath that former ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro and former Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas regularly met with Co at his office in Congress and at a townhouse outside the legislative complex. He also mentioned former Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel as among those who allegedly attended such meetings.

“Si France Castro, Your Honor, laging ka-meeting nina boss Zaldy Co sa opisina niya sa Congress at sa townhouse,” Gumban told the committee.

“Pagkatapos po ng meeting nila, paglabas po, may mga bitbit na po ’yan silang mga paper bag,” he added.

Gumban’s testimony revived issues earlier reported by Kontra Kwento in early March, when the publication covered the controversial joint affidavit of 18 individuals who identified themselves as former members of the Philippine Marine Corps. In that earlier report, Kontra Kwento noted that the affidavit had linked several former Makabayan lawmakers, including Brosas, Manuel, and Castro, to allegations involving supposed kickbacks from ghost flood control projects.

The March report also emphasized that the credibility of the affiants had yet to be fully established, especially after the Philippine Navy reportedly questioned the background of some of those who executed the affidavit, including individuals allegedly found to have never served in the military or to have been dishonorably discharged. Kontra Kwento also reported then that the Ombudsman was expected to carefully examine both the witnesses’ backgrounds and the evidence they submitted.

At the time, Kontra Kwento argued that the allegations, while still requiring independent verification, were serious enough to warrant scrutiny because they involved public funds, flood control projects, and lawmakers who had long presented themselves as critics of corruption and defenders of accountability.

The latest Senate testimony appears to place those earlier allegations into the public record of a congressional inquiry, but it does not by itself prove wrongdoing.

As of posting time, no documentary evidence was publicly presented during the hearing to substantiate Gumban’s claim regarding the contents of the alleged paper bags or the purpose of the reported meetings. The individuals named in the testimony have also yet to issue detailed responses to Gumban’s latest claims.

The allegations come amid continuing public concern over flood control funds, ghost projects, and alleged kickback schemes involving contractors, public officials, and lawmakers.

In its earlier report, Kontra Kwento also raised the need for a full and impartial investigation into all those allegedly involved, regardless of political affiliation. The report stressed that accountability should not be selective, and that all public officials, contractors, and intermediaries implicated in the misuse of flood control funds must face investigation if evidence supports the claims.

The testimony now places renewed pressure on the individuals named to respond, and on investigators to establish whether Gumban’s statements can be corroborated by documents, financial records, witness accounts, or other evidence.

This is a developing story. Additional details will be reported as they become available.