Mike Defensor Admits He's Helping the 18 Ex-Marines Who Claim They Delivered Suitcases of Cash — But Says He Didn't Write Their Affidavit
Former Anakalusugan party-list representative Mike Defensor admitted Friday that he has been helping the 18 individuals presented as former Marines who claimed they delivered suitcases full of cash to politicians — pero he insists he had nothing to do with their affidavit or testimony.
In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Defensor said the ex-Marines' only direct contact was their lawyer Atty. Levito Baligod. 'Hindi ko sila nakakaharap. Wala akong pag-uusap sa kanila,' he said, claiming he didn't even see them in person until after their press conference — all for 'security reasons.'
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV had earlier accused Defensor of pulling strings behind the Marines' explosive allegations, pointing out that the vehicle used to transport them to the press conference was registered under Defensor's wife's name. When asked about this, Defensor dodged the question and instead complained about being under surveillance.
'May kinalaman ako. Hindi ko itinatago,' he eventually conceded. 'In fact, tumutulong ako dito sa mga taong 'to. And ngayon na lumabas sila, marami na rin tumutulong.' He expressed admiration for the 'makabayan na sundalo' who spoke up about the alleged cash deliveries to senators and congressmen.
The cash delivery allegations have rocked Philippine politics, with names of prominent lawmakers surfacing in the ex-Marines' testimony. Defensor said he saw the draft affidavits but 'hindi ako pwedeng makialam.' Whether the Ethics Committee or other investigators buy that explanation — that he helped but didn't influence — remains to be seen. Ang labo, 'di ba?
Source: GMA News
