Mike Defensor still thinking about appearing at NBI; questions subpoena

MANILA, Philippines — Former congressman Mike Defensor is still unsure about appearing at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday, June 10, as he questions the subpoena issued to him.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag earlier said the bureau released a subpoena to Defensor after it received information that he allegedly bribed each of the “18 ex-Marines” P5 million to testify in the flood control anomalies.

Matibag said the individual who gave the testimony is the partner of a child of one of the 18 alleged former Marines, noting that the bureau is still verifying the information.

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READ: NBI receives info that Defensor bribed ’18 ex-Marines’ P5M each

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In a Viber message to the INQUIRER on Tuesday, Defensor reiterated that the allegation against him was merely a “hearsay.”

“Why is the subpoena like that? Look at the subpoena – 18 Marines again. That’s the same old one… Secondly, that [bribery allegations] is a tall tale. It’s just a story someone told him,” Defensor, speaking Filipino, told the INQUIRER.

“I’m still thinking about it [if I will appear] and maybe they’ll create another narrative,” he added.

Defensor’s statement came after his counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio released a statement saying that he and his son, Atty. Jose Arturo III, will represent the former congressman at the NBI on Wednesday.

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READ: Matibag: Only 6 of 18 ‘ex-Marines’ signed statements at NBI

“We are responding to the said subpoena out of respect to the [NBI] as an institution, and shall try to ascertain why in heaven’s name the NBI keeps issuing subpoenae to our client, in view of the current Senate Blue Ribbon investigation and the supposed independence of the Ombudsman, which precludes any such deputazation,” Topacio said in a statement earlier on Tuesday.

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“We are also keeping our options open regarding resort to any legal remedies to stop the harassment,” he added.

Aside from Defensor, the NBI is also expecting the appearance of the supposed ex-Marine who was allegedly a relative of the individual who divulged the bribery allegations.

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The 18 individuals, who first appeared in public through a press conference on Feb. 24, claimed to have served as “bagmen” for former Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Elizaldy Co and delivered P805 billion in alleged kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects to various government officials and personalities. /jpv