DOJ Files Cyberlibel, Perjury Charges Against Former Rep. Co's Ex-Bodyguards and Lawyer

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed cyberlibel charges against 18 former bodyguards of former Ako Bicol Party-List Representative Zaldy Co and their lawyer, Levito Baligod, before four trial courts in Metro Manila. Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez stated that the informations were filed on July 28 before the regional trial courts (RTCs) of Caloocan City, Las Piñas City, Muntinlupa City, and San Juan City. Prosecutors recommended six counts of cyberlibel and four counts of perjury against the 18 individuals. Meanwhile, Martinez said Baligod was charged with four counts of cyberlibel, three of which he was charged alongside the 18 bodyguards, and one in his individual capacity. No perjury charge was recommended against the lawyer. To recall, the 18 individuals had previously alleged the delivery of cash from Co to various personalities. The charges stemmed from the complaints filed by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, former National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, House Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima, and Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. Martinez said the complaint filed by Fr. Flavie Villanueva was dismissed. In a statement posted on Facebook, Baligod slammed the filing of charges against them before separate courts, saying this seeks to make things difficult for them. He said they cannot expect “fairness and rule of law” from the DOJ and the National Prosecution Service. For their part, Martinez said that all informations were filed in strict adherence to the applicable rules on jurisdiction and venue. “Filing all the cases in a single venue, without a legal basis for each offense, would itself be contrary to those rules,” he said. “For cyber libel, venue is determined under Section 2.1 of the Rule on Cybercrime Warrants. For perjury, venue generally lies where the allegedly false affidavit was subscribed and sworn,” he added. —VAL, GMA News