NBI Director Melvin Matibag has revealed that the National Bureau of Investigation received information alleging wrongdoing linked to the flood control controversy. According to Matibag, the NBI was told that former Congressman Mike Defensor allegedly bribed each of the so-called “18 ex-Marines” with P5 million apiece in exchange for their testimony concerning alleged anomalies connected to flood control efforts.
The revelation was made in the context of investigations tied to claims that irregularities occurred in matters involving flood control. Matibag said the NBI’s information indicated that Defensor’s alleged actions were meant to influence or secure testimony related to those anomalies. The disclosure suggests the probe is not only focused on the technical or administrative aspects of flood control projects, but also on potential efforts to manipulate testimonies that could affect the outcome of legal or oversight processes.
Matibag further stated that the testimony referenced in the allegation came from an unnamed source. While the statement in the provided excerpt does not include extensive details about the identity of the informant, it establishes that the NBI’s lead is based on information received and that the alleged payments were purportedly intended to secure testimony that would address or clarify the claimed irregularities.
The claim that multiple individuals—specifically 18 former Marine personnel—were each allegedly paid substantial amounts underscores the seriousness of the allegation. If substantiated, it would indicate that a pattern of influence may have been carried out through financial inducements, potentially raising questions about the credibility of testimony and the integrity of processes surrounding investigations into flood control irregularities.
The disclosure from the NBI chief also highlights how law enforcement investigations in sensitive public accountability cases often incorporate tips, sworn accounts, or information from informants to identify possible suspects and lines of inquiry. In this instance, the NBI Director’s statement indicates that the agency is acting on information that points to a former lawmaker as a potential figure in alleged bribery for testimony.
While the excerpt does not provide further specifics—such as when the alleged payments occurred, who handled the money, or exactly what each ex-Marine was expected to testify about—it clearly frames the NBI’s allegation as a bribery-related claim tied directly to testimonies about flood control anomalies.
The mention of “18 ex-Marines” suggests the NBI may be looking at a broader group of witnesses or participants connected to the investigation, including whether their roles were genuine and whether their statements were influenced by improper payments. It also implies that investigators may examine how those individuals were identified, how their testimonies were arranged, and whether any other evidence supports or contradicts the alleged bribery scheme.
At this stage, Matibag’s statement functions as an allegation relayed through investigative information, not as a final determination of guilt. However, the involvement of a former congressman and the specific claim of P5 million payments to multiple individuals increases the potential legal implications of the case. It also signals that authorities may pursue deeper verification, such as corroborating the informant’s claims with other evidence, documents, financial trails, communications, or independent witness accounts.
The revelation is expected to add pressure to ongoing efforts to clarify the flood control anomalies, particularly by focusing attention on whether testimonies were obtained ethically or through improper means. If investigations proceed as suggested, prosecutors and investigators would likely evaluate the alleged bribery to determine whether it affected the integrity of testimonies and whether it constitutes a prosecutable offense.
Overall, the NBI Director’s disclosure outlines that the agency has information pointing to former Congressman Mike Defensor allegedly bribing 18 ex-Marines with P5 million each to provide testimony about alleged flood control irregularities. The NBI’s lead, as stated, is based on testimony that “came from an” unnamed source within the investigative context. The statement indicates that the investigation may explore both the flood control anomalies and the alleged attempt to influence the testimony connected to those issues. Source: Unknown
Inquirer: BREAKING: NBI Director Melvin Matibag has revealed that the NBI received information that former Congressman Mike Defensor allegedly bribed each of the “18 ex-Marines” P5 million to provide testimony regarding the flood control anomalies. Matibag said the testimony came from an. #breaking
— @inquirerdotnet May 1, 2026
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