Senator Erwin Tulfo will file libel cases against the former Marine soldiers who accused him of allegedly receiving suitcases filled with cash from the anomalous flood control projects.

In a television interview, Tulfo confirmed that his camp is preparing for the filing of charges against the former soldiers who accused him during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Thursday.

Tulfo belongs to the group of Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, which assumed control of the Upper House last Wednesday over Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. Tulfo will head the Blue Ribbon Committee under Gatchalian's bloc.

But Cayetano, saying he and his group remain in control of the Senate, pushed through with a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing where the former Marines revealed that Tulfo and other lawmakers, including the leader of the House impeachment panel, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, received kickbacks from the flood control projects.

Tulfo and the lawmakers denied the allegations of the former Marines.

"It’s funny, I watched them yesterday. I’m amused, I'm not annoyed. When people tell stories, especially the made-up stories, you just laugh," he said.

"But of course we won’t let it slide. We are now preparing to file a case against those who accused us," he added.

Tulfo said those who accused him should show evidence to prove their allegations.

"Libel is definitely something we will file; they should answer for that, let them prove it... because it's easy to keep pointing fingers. The problem there is whether it is backed up with evidence," he said.

Aside from allegedly receiving suitcases loaded with money, the former marines also accused Tulfo of human trafficking.

The lawmaker also called the hearing conducted by the group of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday as "sham" noting that the new majority group where he was appointed as the Chairman of Blue Ribbon Committee rescheduled the hearing on Monday. Robina Asido/PHS