Comelec's Garcia denies receiving money from Co: All lies

MANILA, Philippines – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Erwin Garcia on Tuesday dismissed allegations that he received P10 million from supposed former bodyguards and bagmen of ex-congressman Zaldy Co.

In a press conference led by former Rep. Mike Defensor, whom Comelec recommended charges against for indirect bribery, the self-proclaimed bagmen said they delivered P10 million from flood control projects to Garcia.

“All of those are lies… What do I have to do with flood control?” Garcia said in Filipino in a text message to the Inquirer.

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READ: Zaldy Co ‘ex-bagmen’ gather at venue for supposed blue ribbon hearing

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Garcia, who is also a lawyer, questioned the consistency of the supposed bagmen’s testimonies, calling their claims coached.

“Before, they said four suitcases were delivered to me in front of Midas Hotel. Now the bags are small. Their statements no longer match,” the Comelec chief said in Filipino.

“That’s the problem when someone is just dictating what they should say and not what is true,” he added.

Defensor was accused of bribing the bagmen with P5 million to testify against certain public officials. /mcm

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