Four witnesses who abruptly withdrew their sworn statements in the congressional flood-control investigation were subjected to sustained psychological and financial pressure, threats, and surveillance — and appeared to be prevented from leaving a secret location — according to the lawyer representing the 14 witnesses who continue to stand by their original accounts.
Atty. Levito Baligod disclosed these circumstances on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, after the Office of the Ombudsman invited him to discuss the four recantations and the conditions surrounding them.
Lawyer Describes Coordinated Pressure Campaign
Baligod said the four so-called "maleta boys" who recanted had long been targets of what he characterized as a focused campaign designed to break their resolve.
"Matagal na po kasi silang target of focused operations, psychological, financial, and, well, may mga threats," Baligod told reporters following the Ombudsman meeting.
He said the four appeared unable to leave the undisclosed location where they were staying at the time. Baligod did not identify the location and did not state who was allegedly preventing them from doing so.
Alleged Surveillance of Witness Rodante Orbillo's Home
Baligod described a specific incident in which a person claiming to be an agent of the National Bureau of Investigation appeared to conduct surveillance on the home of Rodante Orbillo, one of the 14 witnesses who has maintained his original testimony.
According to Baligod, the individual demonstrated knowledge of specific physical details about Orbillo's property, including the existence of a river running behind the house — information that suggested prior reconnaissance of the site.
Baligod was careful to note, however, that he could not confirm whether the person was in fact an NBI agent.
Recanter Called Remaining Witness in Apparent Bid to Persuade
Baligod also revealed that Benny Bulontate — one of the four who recanted — later placed a telephone call to one of the 14 witnesses who have held firm. According to Baligod, Bulontate appeared physically distressed during the call, described as pale and swollen-eyed, and appeared to be attempting to persuade the witness to follow suit.
The circumstances of the call, as relayed by Baligod, suggested that Bulontate himself may have been under duress at the time.
Screenshots Show Recanter Citing 'Temptation'
Baligod previously showed reporters screenshots of messages he said were sent by one of the recanters. One message, which Baligod attributed to the recanter, included an apology to the lawyer and a reference to the "temptation" the witness was facing — language Baligod said was consistent with financial inducement.
Separately, a witness named George Villalon Jr. claimed that witnesses were offered between ₱20 million and ₱25 million each to withdraw their testimony. Villalon said he was also approached with such an offer but refused.
Baligod stressed that none of the alleged offers have been independently verified, and no financial trail has been publicly demonstrated connecting any specific individual to the payments.
Ombudsman Points to Romualdez Camp; Romualdez Denies Involvement
The four recantations have sharpened scrutiny of the broader flood-control investigation involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla has publicly stated his belief that Romualdez's camp was responsible for orchestrating the withdrawals.
Romualdez has denied any involvement in the recantations.
The investigation centers on accusations of plunder, graft, bribery, and money laundering tied to an alleged ₱56-billion flood-control scheme. The recantations have complicated the evidentiary foundation of the case but have not halted the proceedings, with 14 witnesses maintaining their original sworn accounts.
By the Numbers
- 4 — witnesses who recanted their sworn statements
- 14 — witnesses who continue to stand by their original testimony
- ₱20 million to ₱25 million — alleged amount offered per witness to recant, according to George Villalon Jr.
- ₱56 billion — total value of the alleged flood-control scheme under investigation
Why This Matters
The flood-control investigation is one of the most consequential corruption probes currently before the Office of the Ombudsman, involving accusations of plunder and graft tied to ₱56 billion in public funds. The alleged campaign to pressure witnesses — including threats, surveillance, financial inducements of up to ₱25 million per witness, and apparent restriction of movement — strikes directly at the integrity of the Ombudsman's proceedings. If the accounts of Baligod and Villalon are borne out, they would represent a serious attempt to obstruct a major state anti-corruption case.
Photo credit: Photo from Rappler/file