Comelec Chairman Garcia on 18 ex-bodyguards' allegation: Big lie

Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia on Wednesday said the allegation of 18 ex-bodyguards of Zaldy Co that he received money from the former lawmaker is a big lie.

"'Yun po ay napakalaking kasinungalingan (That is a very big lie)," Garcia said on Unang Balita.

"Isipin n'yo naman po, nasa Commission on Elections tayo. Comelec tayo. Tapos idadamay tayo sa flood control. Ano naman ang relasyon ko sa flood control?" he said.

(Think about it. We are with the Commission on Elections. We are with Comelec. Then they will link us to flood control. What is my connection with flood control?)

"Siguro nasa likod lang namin ang DPWH. Ayun baka dahil du'n sa...," Garcia chuckled.

(Maybe because the office of the Department of Public Works and Highways is behind ours. That may be the reason.)

"Pero sa totoo lang po, wala pong koneksiyon. Kaya matutuwa ka, matatawa ka na lang pero nakakalungkot ang mga ganitong klaseng akusasyon at alegasyon kung bakit ka na lang biglang isasama," he added.

(But in truth, there is no connection. That's why you'll just laugh because it is sad that these kinds of accusation and allegation can suddenly include you.)

"Nangangahulugan, sa kasinungalingan pala ngayon, na pupuwedeng mabili ng tabi-tabi lang, pupuwede kang madamay kahit sino ka pa, lalo pa't meron kang pinapanindigan," Garcia said.

(That means that lies today can be bought around us, and you can be accused whoever you are, especially if you are standing up for something.)

Former bodyguards of Co on Tuesday linked more individuals to their alleged delivery of cash, claiming that they delivered money to Garcia, Senator Francis Escudero, as well as to some media personalities as supposed kickbacks in flood control projects. —KG, GMA News