Año denies 'paper bag' allegations by Marines

National Security Adviser Eduardo M. Año on Thursday denounced an unsigned affidavit allegedly from 18 former Marines as “malicious” and “fabricated.”

“I categorically reject and denounce the malicious, unsigned affidavit purportedly from eighteen ex-Marines accusing me of receiving a paper bag after a meeting at the Polo Club townhouse,” Año said.

He clarified that he has never attended any meeting with former Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Congressman Zaldy Co, or Congresswoman Leila De Lima at the Polo Club townhouse or elsewhere, nor did he receive any paper bag or package from them. “These claims are entirely false and fabricated,” he said.

Año added that he will not tolerate attempts to damage his reputation. “My legal team is prepared to take all necessary actions, and we will have our own investigation to determine whether this malicious stunt—given its timing amid the ICC hearings, the EDSA anniversary, and the planned ‘One Time Big Time’ mass action—is seemingly part of a broader effort to undermine or destabilize government institutions.”