By Zaldy De Layola
MANILA – Former Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Thursday dismissed the circulating “unsigned affidavit” tied to the so-called 18 former Marines as a manufactured story meant to smear names.
In a statement, Barbers, who chaired the House Quad Comm in the 19th Congress, challenged lawyer Levi Baligod and the men he represented to put their claims on the line through proper signatures and notarization before asking the public to treat their accusations seriously.
“To Attorney Levi Baligod: If what your companions are saying is true and if you stand on their statements, then have them sign their affidavit and have it notarized para hindi mag-mukhang script ng isang drama skit sa barangay. Pirmahan niyo (so that it won’t look like a script in a barangay drama skit. Sign it),” he said.
“You should have known from the start that an unsigned affidavit is just a scrap of paper. As their lawyer, you should have been diligent and thorough enough sa tulong mo sa kanila (in helping them) by having it signed and notarized para naman paniwalaan ka nila na crusader ka at hindi lang (so that they can believe that you are a crusader and not a mere) ‘ambulance chaser,’” he added.
Barbers issued the statement after the alleged 18 Marines, in a press conference with Baligod, claimed they delivered cash in suitcases allegedly to public officials.
The claim triggered denials from several people named and counter-claims from groups who see the timing as politically motivated.
At the House of Representatives, House leaders and three former Makabayan bloc lawmakers publicly described the allegations as “diversionary” and questioned why such an “unsigned statement” surfaced at a moment when the country was also watching developments on the International Criminal Court proceedings against former President Rodrigo Duterte, and the impeachment cases against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Barbers echoed that credibility gap, pressing the accusers to own their claims in a way that can be “tested, contested and weighed through proper proceedings,” especially because allegations of this scale, once released into public space, carry consequences for reputations and institutions.
“Are you all afraid of the legal consequences from the people you accused, that’s why you opted not to sign?” Barbers asked, reiterating that such a script was done only to destroy other people.
The former lawmaker also took a swipe at the men presented as former Marines, questioning their motives and implying their public posture looks more like a paid operation than a principled stand.
“What kind of soldiers are you? Are you even soldiers? It seems you are just mercenaries out to make a buck,” Barbers said. (PNA)
