DOJ Recommends Cyberlibel Charges vs. Baligod, 18 Ex-Bodyguards of Zaldy Co

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended the filing of cyberlibel charges against lawyer Levito Baligod and 18 former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon confirmed the development, saying the resolution was released last week. The DOJ panel of prosecutors also recommended the filing of perjury charges against the 18 individuals. GMA News Online has reached out to Baligod for comment and will publish his response once available. The complaints against Baligod and the 18 individuals were filed before the DOJ by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, former National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, House Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima, Fr. Flavie Villanueva, and Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez, however, declined to specify which of the complaints had been endorsed. The complaints stemmed from allegations made by the 18 former bodyguards, who were previously presented by Baligod at a February press conference. They claimed they had delivered suitcases of cash on Co’s instructions to several government officials and other personalities. Among those implicated were Trillanes, Año, De Lima, Villanueva, and Catapang, who denied the allegations and subsequently filed complaints against Baligod and the 18 individuals. The group had alleged that the cash deliveries were connected to kickbacks from anomalous flood control projects. Baligod said he had been communicating with the former servicemen since October and had sought to verify their claims before presenting them publicly. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla later sought individual affidavits from the 18, saying authorities needed to establish what each of them personally knew about the alleged deliveries. The group had initially submitted a single sworn statement containing their allegations.