From Marines to bagmen? Palace sees ‘lousy script’
Malacañang has fiercely dismissed as a "lousy script" explosive allegations that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. orchestrated a corruption scheme involving former Marines as "bagmen" to deliver cash to politicians. The Palace spokesperson firmly stated these claims are a mere diversionary tactic.
On February 24, 2026, lawyer Levito Baligod and 18 individuals claiming to be former Philippine Marines released a joint affidavit alleging they acted as 'bagmen' delivering suitcases containing a total of P805 billion in cash to top government officials. The affidavit specifically named President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and other lawmakers and Cabinet officials as recipients of the funds. The accusers claimed the money was delivered under orders from resigned Party-list Representative Elizaldy 'Zaldy' Co and was intended to support secret government cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), contradicting official denials amid former President Rodrigo Duterte's ICC proceedings on drug war crimes.
In response, Malacañang Palace spokesperson dismissed the allegations as 'lousy scriptwriting,' characterizing them as a diversionary tactic. The Philippine Navy conducted verification and found that four of the 18 individuals were never Marines, most had been dishonorably discharged, while others had retired honorably, casting doubt on their credibility. The Navy's statement undermined the accusers' military credentials and raised questions about the authenticity of their claims.
Senator Imee Marcos filed Senate Resolution No. 317 on February 25, 2026, seeking a Senate investigation into the allegations, calling them 'extremely alarming' and involving dozens of officials including the President. The resolution was referred to the Senate blue ribbon committee for potential investigation. However, several lawmakers expressed skepticism about the timing and credibility of the allegations, with some suggesting they were politically motivated to divert attention from Duterte's ICC scrutiny.
The unsigned affidavit named over 26 legislators and Cabinet officials as recipients, including Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, Aurelio Gonzales Jr., and Leila de Lima, all of whom have denied involvement. The allegations emerged during a period of heightened political tension surrounding Duterte's ICC proceedings and prior investigations into drug war funding. No confirmed evidence beyond the affidavit has surfaced, and the Palace's strong dismissal, combined with the Navy's verification findings, has framed the story as a potential political distraction rather than substantiated corruption claims.
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