Manila, Philippines – The debate over what to call the 18 individuals at the center of the Senate’s flood-control probe has reached Malacañang, with the Palace offering its own take on the matter.
According to a June 8 Palace briefing, Press Officer Claire Castro said the group could fairly be described as “18 Kargadores” or “18 Basurero,” depending on what the witnesses themselves have admitted doing.
Where the Labels Came From
The naming controversy started during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing. Senator Raffy Tulfo referred to the witnesses as “18 Kargadores,” a term that quickly caught on and sparked public discussion.
Castro defended the use of such labels at the briefing. She explained that the descriptions are based on the activities the witnesses themselves have claimed they carried out while working for businessman and former congressman Rep. Zaldy Co.
What the Witnesses Allege
The 18 have become key figures in the Senate’s ongoing inquiry. They claim that, as security aides to Co, they transported bags and luggage stuffed with money.
These allegations now form part of the chamber’s investigation into supposed irregularities in flood-control projects across the country. The probe has drawn close attention from Filipinos at home and abroad, many of whom have followed similar corruption inquiries in the past.
The Military’s Pushback
The Armed Forces of the Philippines pushed back against the more colorful labels. Instead, the AFP recommended more neutral terms for the group:
- “18 Witnesses”
- “18 Affiants”
- Former staff and bodyguards
The military also moved to clear up a common misconception about the group’s background.
Setting the Record Straight
The AFP clarified two important points about the 18 individuals:
- Not all of them were former members of the Philippine Marine Corps
- Those who did have military backgrounds were no longer in active service when they worked as security aides to Co
This distinction matters, the AFP suggested, because lumping all 18 together as former Marines paints an inaccurate picture of who they actually are.
Why It Matters
The dispute over names may sound like a side issue, but it reflects the larger fight over how the public views these witnesses. Calling them “Kargadores” or “Basurero” frames them one way. Calling them “affiants” or “witnesses” frames them another.
For now, the Senate inquiry continues, and the 18 remain central to one of the most closely watched corruption investigations in recent memory.