Ridon to colleagues accused by ‘maleta’ boys: Go after masterminds now

Manila, Philippines, Bicol Saro party-list Representative Terry Ridon has called on his fellow legislators who were accused by former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co of accepting bribes to pursue the individuals responsible for orchestrating these allegations. The move comes amid multiple recantations from key figures involved in the case, including Co's former aide Orly Guteza and members of the so-called "18 bodyguards," who initially claimed to have witnessed cash deliveries to lawmakers. In an online press briefing held on Friday, August 21, 2026, Ridon emphasized that while he himself was not directly implicated in the accusations, others who were named should take action against those behind the fabricated narratives. He stated that both the individuals who issued the original affidavits and those who later retracted their statements have the means to identify the true architects of the scheme. Ridon noted that Guteza's recantation specifically named several politicians who allegedly instructed him to fabricate the story in exchange for financial incentives. This revelation, according to Ridon, points to a broader network involving not just the former military personnel and bodyguards, but also political actors who may have exploited them for their own ends. He recommended that his colleagues in the House of Representatives investigate further to uncover who exactly orchestrated the false accusations. This includes examining whether the statements given by Guteza differ from those of the 18 bodyguards, which could provide more clarity on the nature of the conspiracy. Guteza, in his recantation, claimed that the idea to fabricate the story originated from Senator Rodante Marcoleta and former Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor. According to Guteza's affidavit dated August 13, he had no firsthand knowledge of the alleged delivery of cash-filled suitcases to Co's residence in Pasig or to Romualdez's home in Taguig. Earlier this month, four of the 18 former bodyguards of Co indicated in a report broadcast by GMA's 24 Oras that they signed the joint affidavit due to promises of financial support. These individuals referenced the affidavit they signed alongside Baligod, their legal representative, during a press briefing on February 24, 2026. Their accounts aligned with Guteza's, suggesting that they were involved in delivering cash from Co to various lawmakers. The recent recantations have been leveraged by former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who faces accusations of involvement in the money-delivery scheme and related corruption issues surrounding the flood control project. On Thursday, Romualdez's team submitted a supplementary counter-affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman, citing the recantations and sworn statements from 25 of Co's former drivers and security personnel as justification for their defense. The unfolding situation has raised questions about the credibility of the initial allegations and the potential influence of political motives in shaping the narrative around the case. As the investigation progresses, attention will remain focused on the actions taken by those implicated and the responses from the relevant authorities.