DOJ Indicts 19, Including Baligod and Zaldy Co’s Alleged Bagmen, for Perjury and Cyber Libel

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved the indictment of lawyer Levito Baligod and 18 alleged bagmen of fugitive former congressman Zaldy Co for perjury and cyber libel over their allegations that some government officials and personalities received suitcases filled with millions in cash. In its resolution dated July 24, the DOJ ruled to indict Baligod and the 18 for “conspiracy to commit violation of Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act 10951,” the law governing cyber libel. The DOJ also ruled to charge the 18 with “conspiracy to commit violation of Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code” or perjury. Although Baligod was included in this complaint, the DOJ ruled to dismiss the charge against him “for lack of prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction.” The charges stemmed from the complaint filed by former national security adviser Eduardo Año, who was included in the joint affidavit of the 18 men alleging that government officials and personalities received cash-stuffed suitcases and packages from Co. Baligod was “not one of the signatories of the (joint affidavits) in question,” which also “(bore) the signatures of all the other respondents, making them liable for perjury,” a portion of the DOJ resolution stated. On the complaint filed by former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, the DOJ ruled to indict the 18 men for “three counts of cyber libel.” The 18 accused Trillanes of accepting $2 million while meeting with investigators of the International Criminal Court. The DOJ resolution, shared by Jay Sonza on social media, absolved Baligod and the 18 men from Trillanes’ complaint for violation of Articles 356 to 358 and 363 of the Revised Penal Code governing libel, slander and incriminating an innocent person. It also cleared Sonza and former congressman Mike Defensor. Sonza thanked the DOJ, as his lawyer Mark Tolentino said the resolution “reaffirms the constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, which are indispensable to a democratic society.”