Office of the Ombudsman investigators are considering adding four former bodyguards of ex-Representative Zaldy Co as co-respondents in a non-bailable plunder case involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez over alleged flood control project kickbacks, officials said Tuesday.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano announced the potential move during a press conference following the individuals’ recent recantation of their allegations against several public figures.

“The investigators do plan to include them in the plunder charge because if they don’t intend to be our witnesses, then they are merely respondents in a crime where they delivered billions of pesos to the respondents in this case,” Clavano said.

While taking note of the retractions, Clavano said the Ombudsman panel has not yet formally received official copies of the recantations. The only records currently available to investigators are documents attached to a counter-affidavit submitted by Romualdez.

Clavano noted that the recantations consisted of general, undetailed denials, in contrast to the bodyguards’ original affidavits, which contained detailed accounts. He added that courts generally view such broad retractions unfavorably.

“That is something we know the courts will frown upon, because that is something that is not an accepted practice or it is something the courts have taken judicial notice of... especially if we can show that the recantations had considerations,” Clavano said.

He added that prosecutors are not ruling out the possibility that the bodyguards might cooperate again, but are preparing to charge them if they do not.