Photo courtesy: RTVM & Mike Defensor
Malacañang on Thursday responded to allegations raised by former AnaKalusugan Party-list Rep. Mike Defensor and his group regarding an alleged multi-billion-peso bribery scheme involving several government officials, including President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Defensor earlier claimed that a second batch of former soldiers was prepared to come forward and testify on the supposed multi-billion-peso bribery scheme.
During a press conference, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro branded the former lawmaker as a known “wonder boy,” questioned his motives, and criticized him for making public statements that appear to encourage efforts to unseat the President from office.
“Marami sa kaniyang talumpati ang naghihikayat sa ating mga kababayan na tanggalin sa puwesto ang ating Pangulo. Alam na natin ang motibo,” Castro said.
“Mike Defensor, again, Ador Mawanay 2.0, kilala ang salitang Mawanay dahil sa pamimilit diumano sa kaniya na gumawa ng pekeng salaysay,” she added.
She questioned Defensor’s motives and also likened him to controversial whistleblower, Antonio Luis Marquez, more popularly known as “Ador Mawanay,” who made headlines in 2001 after accusing then Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson of maintaining hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign bank accounts—claims he later withdrew and admitted were false. She further alleged that Defensor’s motives were already apparent.
Castro said there was “something fishy” about the corruption allegations being hurled at the President, particularly those amplified by Defensor.
“Mayroon tayong impormasyon na isang tao sa administrasyon dati ni GMA na isang operator na ang trabaho lamang ay to muddle the issues. Kapag ang taong ito ay kasama sa isang issue, something is fishy,” she said.
Defensor earlier denied being the “instigator” of the exposé and clarified that lawyer Levito Baligod was the one directly communicating with the alleged former Marines.
“Hindi ako ang pasimuno niyan,” Defensor said during the Dos Por Dos program on Wednesday, February 25.
“Sumusuporta ako sa kanila, naniniwala ako dun sa kanila mga sinasabi… Sana ma-locate namin talaga si Sgt. Guteza na magkasama-sama na talaga at mabuo yung kanilang salaysay,” he added.
Asked whether the issue was being used to divert attention from developments at the International Criminal Court (ICC), particularly allegations of bribery involving ICC investigators, Castro said discrediting the tribunal may be part of the motive.
“Malamang, kung ano man ang motibo nila, malamang na maaaring i-discredit at tanggalan ng kredibilidad at integridad ang ICC. But mas concerned po tayo sa mga kasinungalingang kanilang ibinabato sa ating Pangulo,” she said.
Meanwhile, Castro maintained that Marcos would not intervene in the ICC’s pre-trial proceedings against former president Rodrigo Duterte. She also said there have been no discussions yet regarding the possibility of the Philippines rejoining the ICC.
