Former Marines alleged during a press conference led by former lawmaker Mike Defensor that Gen. Nicolas Torre III offered mobile phones, cash, and employment opportunities in exchange for affidavits contradicting the testimony of flood control whistleblower Orly Goteza.
The allegations were presented alongside photographs that witnesses said were taken during meetings held after Goteza began publicly disclosing information related to the alleged flood control controversy in September 2025.
One witness testified that shortly after Goteza’s statements became public, he and several others were approached and allegedly offered incentives in exchange for retracting or contradicting the whistleblower’s claims.
“Inumpisahan na po kaming kausapin ni General Torre po para bigyan po ng mga offer po katulad po nung cellphone po,” the witness said.
According to the witness, he received a cellphone and was offered ₱50,000 in exchange for signing an affidavit disputing Goteza’s allegations.
“Binigyan rin po kami ng ₱50,000 para kapalit po doon sa affidavit na magpapatunay po na papasinungalingan namin yung mga pahayag po ni Tatay Orly Goteza,” he testified.
The witness claimed the cash payment was described as a “disturbance fee.”
Photographs shown during the press conference allegedly depicted a meeting at Raffles Makati involving Torre and several individuals whom the witnesses said were being asked to sign affidavits contradicting Goteza’s statements.
According to the testimony, approximately 15 individuals attended the meeting and were presented with documents that allegedly sought to challenge the whistleblower’s allegations.
The witnesses said they initially declined to sign the affidavits but claimed that some individuals were later persuaded to execute statements against Goteza.
The witnesses also alleged that they were promised employment opportunities through a security agency.
“Gagawa daw po siya ng security agency,” one witness said, referring to the alleged offer made during the meetings.
According to the testimony, mobile phones distributed to participants included newly released devices such as iPhone 16 units and Samsung Galaxy S25 smartphones. Witnesses claimed the phones were distributed in batches and accompanied by cash payments.
The former Marines further alleged that several of their former colleagues eventually joined the security agency that had been offered to them.
