Witness: P10M allegedly offered for each recantation by ‘maleta boys’

MANILA, Philippines — A purported bagman turned witness told the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Tuesday that the remaining “maleta boys” were allegedly offered P10 million each to recant their statements.

Christopher Esquivel made the revelation while testifying at the plunder bail hearing of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is accused of receiving P7.44 billion in kickbacks purportedly delivered by the maleta boys, who are former security personnel of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.

Romualdez has denied any wrongdoing.

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READ: Witness to Sandiganbayan: Cash delivered in 4 areas for Romualdez

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Esquivel was a former security personnel of Co, who is also a co-accused in the case.

Last July, Esquivel said Benny Bulontate told him that a former colleague, also a former security aide of Co, wanted to talk to him.

Bulontate is among three former maleta boys who recanted their statements against Romualdez.

Esquivel said he agreed to meet the former colleague, whose identity was not immediately disclosed, at a restobar in Cubao, Quezon City.

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According to Esquivel, their former colleague offered P10 million for each recantation, with P5 million going to the recruiter and another P5 million to each maleta boy who would recant their statement.

Esquivel said he did not take the offer.

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“I did not believe it and was not convinced, so I refused,” he told the court.

Romualdez cited the recantations of Bulontate, Rosebert Waupan and Belnard Tube in his 74-page bail petition. The three had earlier claimed to have delivered suitcases intended for Romualdez.

Prosecutors continued to use the initial testimonies of Bulontate, Waupan and Tube in building their case.

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According to Romualdez’s petition, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the recantations on the grounds that they “carry no automatic probative value, are viewed with suspicion, and may be procured by intimidation, pressure, or monetary consideration.” /mcm