UMVA has learned that a scathing assessment of an affidavit submitted by 18 former bodyguards of a high-profile lawmaker has been delivered by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), with officials saying that only a fraction of the document has merit.
The affidavit, which was submitted as part of an investigation into a multibillion-peso flood control scandal, has been deemed largely unfounded by NBI Director Melvin A. Matibag, who revealed that a mere 10% to 20% of the claims made by the former bodyguards have any basis in fact.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the NBI Director stated that the affidavit submitted by the 18 bagmen lacked corroboration and was riddled with hearsay, with many of the individuals who filed the affidavit admitting to having limited personal knowledge of the events in question.
The NBI's investigation found that the affidavit was woefully lacking in supporting documents, including crucial evidence such as CCTV footage, cellphone records, bank statements, and physical devices that could have substantiated the bagmen's claims.
This bombshell revelation comes on the heels of a heated Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) hearing, during which the 18 ex-bodyguards made explosive allegations against several high-ranking senators, including Senator Erwin T. Tulfo, who has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
In a stunning move, Senator Tulfo has filed charges against three of the bagmen for grave oral defamation, stemming from their claims about a suspicious luggage of money, human trafficking, and sexual trafficking.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Senator Tulfo's decision to file charges was motivated by a desire to clear his name and expose the inconsistencies in the bagmen's claims, which he described as "lies."
The fallout from this scandal continues to unfold, with the NBI's findings casting serious doubt on the credibility of the affidavit and the motives of the 18 former bodyguards.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the investigation is ongoing, with many eyes on the Senate BRC to see how this drama will play out.
