Former senator Sonny Trillanes has expressed optimism that one of the 18 so-called bagmen will eventually recant their allegations once the growing number of lawsuits filed against them reaches the court for trial. 

“There will always be someone who will give in and admit that they were only used for whatever reason. That’s where everything will fall apart,” he said in Filipino in a radio interview on Thursday. 

He made the remark shortly after he sued the group for cyberlibel at the Department of Justice. 

This marks the third lawsuit filed by Trillanes against the alleged former bodyguards of ex-lawmaker Elizaldy Co, after they repeatedly accused him of receiving millions of pesos stuffed into a suitcase. 

The former senator sued them twice in  March for perjury and cyberlibel over similar allegations. 

The group is also facing several criminal cases filed by lawmakers and other personalities whom they accused of involvement in the kickbacks.

Trillanes’ filing follows the 4 June flood control probe “illegally” convened by Senator Alan Cayetano and allies, despite being ousted from their posts and committee chairmanships following the leadership change on 3 June.

During the “sudo” hearing, the group, who identified themselves as former security aides of ex-Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co., accused Trillanes of receiving P5 million to P10 million to bribe International Criminal Court investigators.

The cash was allegedly delivered to the Magdalo headquarters located at 86 Scout Ojeda Street in Quezon City. 

Trillanes had labeled the accusations an outright lie and pointed to significant inconsistencies in the group’s narrative across four public appearances.

He noted that the group initially claimed to have delivered the cash to his private residence before later changing their account to the headquarters of Magdalo, a political organization founded by Trillanes and retired navy officers.

Last week, Trillanes argued that the European investigators are highly professional and resistant to bribery, adding that if corruption were possible, the Dutertes could easily outbid him.

Aside from the bagmen, also respondents to the latest case Trillanes filed are Cayetano and Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who presided over the supposed hearing.

Trillanes argued that the lawmakers could not invoke parliamentary immunity because the hearing was not legitimate.

Trilanes had no qualms about filing another round of criminal cases against the group if they continued to allow themselves to be used by their “political handlers” and repeat the allegations on subsequent occasions. 

“So that they will learn their lesson because whatever was promised or given to them, let's see if it's worth the trouble they will have to face,” he added.

Despite this, he maintained that the group is merely being weaponized by anti-administration forces to “agitate the general public” in hopes of “creating outrage” and mobilizing against the government.

The former soldier also believes that the bodyguards, who identified themselves as “ex-Marines”, did not anticipate how serious the issue would become, and how deeply they would be involved in. Although he emphasized that they need to face the music.

“If they want redemption, they should admit who spoke to them and what was promised to them in exchange for what they are claiming,” Trillanes stressed.

Aside from Trillanes, the group also implicated several lawmakers allied with President Marcos Jr., including Senators Tito Sotto and Erwin Tulfo, former Speaker Martin Romualdez, and Ilocos Rep. Sandro Marcos—the president’s son. They all dismissed the allegations as fabricated.