PHThe Philippine public has seen this tactic before. When a political group faces serious accountability, it doesn’t wait quietly. Instead, it creates a dramatic scene, adding characters and catchy labels to distract from the truth. The so-called "18 ex-Marines" claiming they delivered suitcases of cash worth 805 billion pesos in kickbacks are the latest, obvious example of this play.
Let’s be clear. The affidavits these 18 individuals submitted to the Ombudsman are not real whistleblowing. They are part of a political strategy aimed at diverting attention from Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. The timing is telling. For years, investigations into flood-control projects with ghost deliveries and shoddy construction were underway. Just as the prosecution team for VP Sara's trial was forming, these 18 men appeared with an outrageous story.
The figure of 805 billion pesos should have ended the conversation. Senator Panfilo Lacson, a leading mind in Philippine law, pointed out the math doesn’t add up. Moving that much cash would need warehouses, not suitcases. It would be a large part of all cash in circulation. The idea that 18 men could carry it in bags multiple times a week across Metro Manila, with no documentation or surveillance, is pure fiction dressed in military uniforms.
Speaking of uniforms, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Marine Corps stepped in to clarify something important: not all 18 were Marines. Four of them were never part of the Marine Corps. Many others were dishonorably discharged, removed for conduct deemed unworthy. The Marine Corps called them "unworthy of our respect." When the institution that trained them rejects their claims, it’s a major loss of credibility.
The NBI's investigation made things worse. They found that 103 people were recruited as security for Zaldy Co, and many of the 18 were not even close-in security for him. Their story relies on the idea they were an elite Marine detail, but the NBI showed that wasn’t true. An informant even claimed that former representative Mike Defensor offered five million pesos to military personnel to name recipients of cash from Co. If true, this is not whistleblowing; it’s ρáíd theater.
Now, consider what happened when these 18 were given a chance to present their claims in a formal Senate hearing. They didn’t show up. A planned "truth forum" turned chaotic and faced a media blackout. This isn’t the behavior of honest individuals. It shows a political operation that thrives in press conferences but falters under real scrutiny.
The accusations against the impeachment prosecutors reveal the scheme’s intent. Representatives Gerville Luistro, Joel Chua, Leila de Lima, and Terry Ridon were named as cash recipients. These are key figures in the effort to hold VP Sara accountable. Their inclusion is no accident; it’s the purpose of the exercise. Rep. Ridon noted something telling: his name wasn’t even in the original affidavit. It was added later. That’s not how genuine memories work. It’s how lists expand when there’s a need for names.
The pro-Duterte bloc has every reason to do what these accusations suggest. The impeachment trial of VP Sara is historic. It’s the first time a sitting vice president faces such proceedings. The bloc can’t stop the trial legally, but it can try to discredit the prosecutors and create a false equivalence between accountability and evasion. The "ex-Marines" narrative is a calculated smear, using a name that carries weight and trust that these individuals don’t deserve based on records.
The real tragedy is that these flood-control projects represent real harm to Filipinos. Hundreds of billions in public funds were allegedly stolen, leading to poor flood management. This corruption needs serious investigation and accountability. Earlier testimony about suitcases delivered from Co’s homes pointed to a real case worth pursuing with proper evidence. The "18 ex-Marines" story doesn’t help that investigation. It undermines it, creating confusion that allows true culprits to escape scrutiny.
The flood-control issues are serious. The corruption is real. Those using the myth of the "18 ex-Marines" to divert attention are betting on the public's confusion. Don’t let them succeed.
