Co’s ex-bodyguard testifies delivering cash-filled suitcases to 4 residences linked to Romualdez

MANILA — An ex-bodyguard of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co testified that he took part in delivering cash-filled suitcases, which he called “basura,” to four residences associated with former House Speaker Martin Romualdez on several occasions from 2023 to 2024. 

Gil Navidad made the testimony during the second day of the Sandiganbayan Third Division’s bail hearing on Romualdez’s plunder case over his alleged ill-gotten wealth from government infrastructure kickbacks. 

He said he helped deliver around 20 suitcases to a residence on McKinley Road in Forbes Park, Makati, on Nov. 21, 2023. His testimony corroborated that of Co’s former bodyguards George Villalon Jr. and Johnny Buduan, who testified on Monday.

Asked how he knew the McKinley Road residence belonged to Romualdez, Navidad said he used to work as a driver for a prominent businesswoman who sent him to deliver holiday gifts there about 10 times. 

He said the gifts had labels with Romualdez’s name, though he admitted he never saw the former Speaker during those instances. 

In June 2024, he took part in two deliveries of at least 10 suitcases each to a residence on Narra Road, also in Forbes Park. Navidad said he knew the house belonged to Romualdez because Arnelo Ramirez, a purported former driver of the ex-Speaker, had told him so.

“‘Yong driver na kasama ko, dating driver nila Romualdez, si Arnelo Ramirez. Siya yung backup driver nung time na nag-deliver na kasama sa isang sasakyan,” he said. 

On Sept. 5, 2024, Navidad said he helped carry one large suitcase, which supposedly contained around P50 million, to a residence on Aguado Street in Manila, near Malacañang.

“Nakita ko dalawang van ginagamit sa pagdeliver ng “basura,” sa loob ng compound. Nung nagbaba na sila ng maleta, bumuhat din ako ng isang maleta,” he said. 

He also said he saw suitcases delivered in November 2024 to a property on Tamarind Road in Forbes Park. He said he was on standby in the area because he had accompanied the children of another congressman to a nearby event.

“May nakita akong mga maleta ng basura. Sabi ni Police Master Sergeant Jhonie Calleja (Co’s ex-bodyguard), ‘Andiyan na ‘yung basura… tara, tulong tayo.’ Doon kami nag-standby sa tapat ng bahay na ‘yon,” he said.

Ombudsman investigators earlier claimed that the Tamarind Road property belongs to a company owned by Jose Paras, a business associate and fraternity brother of Romualdez. Paras allegedly served as Romualdez’s frontman in laundering cash collections.

During the hearing, Navidad showed the court photos of a phone displaying messages exchanged with Colonel William Dominguez, the alleged security consultant and second-in-command of the bodyguards, who relayed the orders to assist with the deliveries.

Navidad also claimed he saw Co’s aides, John Paul Estrada and Mark Ticsay, count bundles of cash inside suitcases more than 10 times at Co’s residence in Horizon Homes in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

He said he carried suitcases from the basement to the 56th floor of the building, where Co lived. On one occasion, a suitcase wrapped in duct tape tore open as he pulled it and he saw cash inside, he said.