Rep. Jose "Pepito" Alvarez of Palawan denied allegations that he received money from former Congressman Zaldy Co through a group of ex-Marines [1].
The denial comes amid high-stakes political tension in Manila, where accusations of illicit payments often signal deeper fractures within the legislative coalition.
Alvarez addressed the claims on June 4, 2024 [2]. He said that the allegation that 18 ex-Marines [1] acted as intermediaries to deliver funds from Co was unfounded. The representative dismissed the narrative as a fabrication intended to damage his reputation.
Alvarez suggested the accusations may be a form of payback for his political stances. Specifically, he said the claims might be retaliation for his refusal to endorse an impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. [1].
The representative said the timing and nature of the allegations point toward a political vendetta rather than a factual grievance. He maintained that no such transaction occurred and that the group of 18 [1] individuals mentioned in the reports did not deliver any funds to him.
This dispute highlights the volatile nature of alliances within the Philippine House of Representatives. By linking the accusation to the impeachment efforts against President Marcos Jr., Alvarez frames the controversy not as a matter of financial corruption, but as a consequence of his loyalty to the current administration [1].
“Alvarez denied allegations that he received money from former Congressman Zaldy Co”
This incident reflects the internal power struggles within the Philippine government, where allegations of bribery are frequently used as leverage during impeachment discussions. By attributing the claims to retaliation for supporting President Marcos Jr., Alvarez is attempting to pivot the narrative from personal corruption to political martyrdom, signaling that his refusal to join the opposition has made him a target for his detractors.
