Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon shows a luggage full of mangos and wig during the Saturday News Forum on June 6, 2026. (Screenshot from Congress TV livestream/Youtube)
MANILA, Philippines — Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon dared the 18 “ex-Marines” to show up at Monday’s Senate blue ribbon committee hearing, arguing that a no-show would prove their bribery claims are completely baseless.
This follows a Thursday blue ribbon hearing spearheaded by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s faction, where the alleged ex-Marines — claiming to be former lawmaker Zaldy Co’s bagmen — testified despite a recent reorganization of the Senate leadership.
During Thursday’s hearing, they claimed to have delivered suitcases full of money from Co to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., his son Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and several lawmakers, including Ridon.
Ridon has denied the allegations made by Jowly Cadiao, one of the alleged former Marines, saying these will not stop the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
