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Advocates Philippines
Alvarez Links Cash Allegation To Rejected Marcos Impeachment Bid
Screengrab from Senator Alan Cayetano
Palawan 2nd District Rep. Jose Alvarez has denied allegations that he received a suitcase filled with cash, suggesting that his name was dragged into the controversy only after he refused to support an impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Speaking at a press conference in the Senate alongside Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, Alvarez rejected claims made by former Marine officers who alleged that cash-filled luggage had been delivered to lawmakers and other personalities.
“Wala akong tinanggap na pera, wala silang dinala sa akin na maleta,” Alvarez told reporters.
The lawmaker said he decided to personally address the issue after learning that his name had been mentioned.
According to Alvarez, the allegations surfaced months after he was approached to endorse an impeachment complaint against President Marcos that was allegedly being circulated by former congressman Mike Defensor.
“Mahirap man akong magsabi ng motibo, ngunit siguro may kinalaman doon sa pinadala sa akin ni Mike Defensor,” Alvarez said.
To support his claim, Alvarez showed reporters a message that he said was sent by a certain “Margarette” on behalf of Defensor. The message allegedly asked him to endorse an impeachment complaint accusing the President of graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust.
The message reportedly argued that Alvarez’s reputation and “principled stance on accountability” would help strengthen the complaint if he publicly supported it.
But the veteran lawmaker said he immediately turned down the request.
“Ang sagot ko, ‘no, sorry.’ Hindi ko pa nga nababasa eh, pinapa-endorse na kaagad sa akin,” he said.
The impeachment complaint against Marcos was later dismissed by the House Committee on Justice after lawmakers found it insufficient in substance. The committee's recommendation was subsequently affirmed by the House of Representatives in a vote of 284-8, with four abstentions, effectively ending the impeachment effort.
Alvarez noted that it was only after he declined to endorse the complaint that his name began appearing in allegations connected to the issue.
“Pagkatapos, pinadala sa akin, na kung maaari daw i-endorso ko. Eh no’ng hindi ko inendorso, bigla na lang akong nagkapangalan dito,” he said.
He also firmly denied having any financial dealings with former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who was mentioned in the allegations involving the supposed cash deliveries.
“So sunod no’n, kasama na po ako dito sa Marines. Pero I can say categorically wala po akong tinanggap na maleta galing kay Zaldy Co, dahil wala namang utang si Zaldy Co sa akin, wala rin akong utang sa kanya,” Alvarez said.
The allegations surrounding the alleged cash deliveries have become part of a broader political controversy currently being discussed in the Senate. However, Alvarez maintained that the accusations against him are baseless and insisted that he never received money or a suitcase from anyone connected to the claims.
Speaking at a press conference in the Senate alongside Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, Alvarez rejected claims made by former Marine officers who alleged that cash-filled luggage had been delivered to lawmakers and other personalities.
“Wala akong tinanggap na pera, wala silang dinala sa akin na maleta,” Alvarez told reporters.
The lawmaker said he decided to personally address the issue after learning that his name had been mentioned.
According to Alvarez, the allegations surfaced months after he was approached to endorse an impeachment complaint against President Marcos that was allegedly being circulated by former congressman Mike Defensor.
“Mahirap man akong magsabi ng motibo, ngunit siguro may kinalaman doon sa pinadala sa akin ni Mike Defensor,” Alvarez said.
To support his claim, Alvarez showed reporters a message that he said was sent by a certain “Margarette” on behalf of Defensor. The message allegedly asked him to endorse an impeachment complaint accusing the President of graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust.
The message reportedly argued that Alvarez’s reputation and “principled stance on accountability” would help strengthen the complaint if he publicly supported it.
But the veteran lawmaker said he immediately turned down the request.
“Ang sagot ko, ‘no, sorry.’ Hindi ko pa nga nababasa eh, pinapa-endorse na kaagad sa akin,” he said.
The impeachment complaint against Marcos was later dismissed by the House Committee on Justice after lawmakers found it insufficient in substance. The committee's recommendation was subsequently affirmed by the House of Representatives in a vote of 284-8, with four abstentions, effectively ending the impeachment effort.
Alvarez noted that it was only after he declined to endorse the complaint that his name began appearing in allegations connected to the issue.
“Pagkatapos, pinadala sa akin, na kung maaari daw i-endorso ko. Eh no’ng hindi ko inendorso, bigla na lang akong nagkapangalan dito,” he said.
He also firmly denied having any financial dealings with former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, who was mentioned in the allegations involving the supposed cash deliveries.
“So sunod no’n, kasama na po ako dito sa Marines. Pero I can say categorically wala po akong tinanggap na maleta galing kay Zaldy Co, dahil wala namang utang si Zaldy Co sa akin, wala rin akong utang sa kanya,” Alvarez said.
The allegations surrounding the alleged cash deliveries have become part of a broader political controversy currently being discussed in the Senate. However, Alvarez maintained that the accusations against him are baseless and insisted that he never received money or a suitcase from anyone connected to the claims.
Jun 4, 2026
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