National Security Adviser Eduardo Año has filed legal action against 18 individuals, including supposedly former Marines, a lawyer, and a former congressman, for allegedly spreading 'malicious and fabricated' claims about his involvement in a cash delivery.

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. has denied receiving suitcases of cash, saying the “malicious” allegations are merely political attacks stemming from his stand against extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the previous administration’s drug war. In a statement on Wednesday, Abante said the allegations made by several personalities, including former lawmaker Mike Defensor and broadcaster

Former Rep. Mike Defensor’s warning that another group of former Marines would soon come forward with supposed firsthand accounts of an alleged bribery scheme in the administration of President Marcos is turning him into another Ador Mawanay, according to Palace press officer Claire Castro. Mawanay—whose real name is Antonio Luis Marquez—falsely accused Sen. Panfilo Lacson

MANILA, Philippines — Palace press officer Claire Castro has likened Mike Defensor to infamous Senate witness Ador Mawanay, who testified against Sen. Panfilo Lacson over two decades ago but later retracted his statements. At Thursday’s briefing, Castro was asked to comment on Defensor’s warning that another group of former marines would soon come forward with their supposed firsthand