Former congressman Robert Ace Barbers urged the four so-called “Maleta Boys”, who reportedly withdrew their claim of delivering to high-ranking government officials suitcases of cash from flood control kickbacks, to name those behind the alleged “smear campaign”.
Barbers, who was among those implicated by the “Maleta Boys”, earlier filed a complaint against them and their lawyer for libel and cyberlibel.
“Lumalabas na ‘yung katotohanan. Sila mismo ang nagsabi na may nagtutulak sa kanila, may gumawa ng joint affidavit, at may nagsasabi sa kanila na ito ang sabihin. Hindi ba nakakabahala ‘yun? Kaya pakiusapan natin ‘yung apat na ito na dapat siguro mas maging matapang pa kayo. Pangalanan n’yo sino ‘yung mga ‘yan. At kung kayo ay may ebidensya, ipakita n’yo,” he said.
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“Probably konsensya, nakonsensya sila… Siguro mas magandang makumbinsi din nila ‘yung kanilang ibang mga kasamahan, at dapat siguro kung makukumbinsi nila ‘yung karamihan sa kanilang kasamahang Maleta boys, sila naman ang panagutin natin, kung sinuman ang gumawa nitong fabricated lies na ito, kung sinuman ang gumawa nitong paninirang puri na ito, siguro dapat panagutan nila ‘yan sa batas,” the former lawmaker added.
Barbers, who also serves as adviser and spokesperson for the House Prosecution panel, believes the recent move of the four "Maleta Boys" strengthens the credibility of prosecution panel members, who were implicated in the flood control scandal.
“Deliberate ‘yan. Pinlano nila ‘yan, na siraan ‘yung mga nasa likod ng impeachment na ito… Obviously ay isang attempt to discredit the members of the prosecution panel… that is now prosecuting the Vice President,” he said.
Barbers noted that if the previous claims of the "Maleta Boys" will be the Ombudsman’s basis for filing charges against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, it will have a “weak” foundation.
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“Kung yan ang magiging basehan para sa pagpa-file ng kaso sa mga kasamahan natin sa Kongreso, parang walang bigat. At siguro dahil nga ito ay sila ngayon ay bumaligtad, makakatulong ‘yung kanilang pag-recant sa pagpapalabas natin ang katotohanan tungkol dito sa usapin ng flood control,” he said.