MCT DAILY BRIEF

A witness describes alleged ₱1-billion deliveries to Romualdez’s home

Former Zaldy Co security aide Rodante Orbillo told the Sandiganbayan on October 15 that about 100 suitcases containing ₱1 billion were delivered to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s home from 2023 to 2024. Orbillo said he took part in more than ten deliveries.

He gave the testimony during hearings on Romualdez’s request for bail in his roughly ₱7.4-billion plunder case. Romualdez has pleaded not guilty. These are allegations being presented in court, not findings that the deliveries happened as described. [Report](https://www.onenews.ph/articles/ex-co-aide-p1-billion-brought-to-romualdez-s-house)

The details give the court specific claims to examine: where the money allegedly came from, where it went, who transported it, and who received it. Each part needs checking against records and other testimony.

For the public, the concern goes beyond the size of the alleged deliveries. The case concerns money prosecutors link to flood-control kickbacks, in a country where communities keep paying the price of poor protection against flooding.

Orbillo alleges offers to retract, and names other politicians

Orbillo also testified that he rejected offers reaching ₱20 million to withdraw his allegations against Romualdez. That is another claim needing evidence. It does not, by itself, establish who authorized any payment. [Report](https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1006001/zaldy-co-aide-i-turned-down-p15-m-offer-to-recant-allegations-vs-romualdez/story/)

In the same hearing, Orbillo alleged that he delivered cash-filled suitcases to Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, and former representative Stella Quimbo.

Sotto dismissed the allegation as an old story. Trillanes denied it and pointed to earlier retractions by other accusers. NewsWatch Plus reported those responses alongside Orbillo’s testimony. [Report](https://www.newswatchplus.ph/2026/10/15/orbillo-claims-cash-filled-suitcases-delivered-to-sotto-trillanes-quimbo/)

Naming someone in testimony does not establish guilt. A denial does not settle the facts either. The alleged deliveries and the alleged offers to retract both need to be tested.

DILG names former Bangsamoro lawmaker in Laos drug-shipment inquiry

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has identified former Bangsamoro parliament member Edrieza Hadji Nasser Rimbang as the suspected financier of an attempted drug shipment from Laos to the Philippines. Remulla named him at a Palace briefing on October 16.

Authorities reported seizing 521 kilograms of suspected shabu, valued at approximately ₱3.5 billion. The identification is an official allegation, not a finding of guilt. GMA said it was seeking Rimbang’s comment. [Report](https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1006132/dilg-tags-bangsamoro-mp-as-politician-in-p3-5b-shabu-smuggling-try-from-laos/story/)

One detail matters: the billions refer to the estimated value of the drugs. They should not be reported as the amount paid to charter the aircraft. PDEA spokesperson Joseph Frederick Calulut withheld the charter-payment amount in the account published by SunStar. [Report](https://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/pdea-mindanao-politician-funded-charter-flight-for-p354b-laos-drug-shipment)

NewsWatch Plus reported that investigators were still tracing financial transactions and awaiting laboratory results from Laos. A name on an official diagram does not prove participation. Neither does a political affiliation establish that other members of a party were involved. [Report](https://www.newswatchplus.ph/2026/10/16/duterte-ally-identified-as-suspected-financier-of-%E2%82%B13-5b-laos-drug-shipment/)

Ombudsman says cases against Legarda and Leviste are forthcoming

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on October 16 that criminal cases against Senator Loren Legarda and her son, Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste, are forthcoming. He declined to give a timeline. The investigation concerns alleged irregularities involving solar-energy projects. Both have denied wrongdoing. [Report](https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1006172/ombudsman-remulla-sees-charges-filed-vs-legarda-leviste-soon/story/)

Their counter-affidavits were reported submitted in September. Later that month, Legarda’s spokesperson, lawyer Tony La Viña, challenged the evidence and urged the Ombudsman to reconsider pursuing the complaints. These are earlier responses, not fresh statements issued today. [Report 1](https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1002033/loren-legarda-leandro-leviste-file-counter-affidavit-on-plunder-complaint/story/) [Report 2](https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1003681/legarda-camp-wants-plunder-complaint-reconsidered/story/)

Today’s reporting also covers another request to extend Legarda’s medical leave abroad while the investigation continues. Her camp denies that she is avoiding the accusations. Medical leave alone does not prove evasion. [Report](https://zbni.ph/2026/10/16/sen-legarda-muling-humiling-na-palawigin-ang-medical-leave-sa-abroad/)

The Inquirer also reported Remulla’s statement that a plunder filing before the Sandiganbayan is forthcoming. A statement about a planned filing is not confirmation that the case has already reached the court. The written resolution and actual filing remain the documents to check. [Report](https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2325015/filing-of-plunder-cases-vs-legarda-leviste-forthcoming-ombudsman)

NBI issues subpoenas over remarks about Josh Aquino

The NBI has issued subpoenas to five people connected with the Machong Chismisan podcast following remarks about Josh Aquino. They have been directed to appear on October 20.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said investigators are examining possible offenses involving protections for persons with disabilities and cyberlibel. Those are possible grounds being examined, not convictions or confirmation that charges have already been filed in court. [Report 1](https://tribune.net.ph/2026/10/16/nbi-summons-5-over-machong-chismisan-remarks-on-josh-aquino) [Report 2](https://philstarlife.com/celebrity/165922-nbi-issues-subpoena-vs-machong-chismisan-hosts-offensive-remarks-kris-aquino-son)

Matibag said the inquiry would continue despite the public apology. An apology can address the harm caused, but it does not settle whether a law was broken. Investigators still have to examine the episode, each person’s role, and the applicable law.