DOJ recommends cyberlibel raps vs Baligod, 18 witnesses

March 12 2026 – Sixteen of 18 alleged former Marines accompanied by lawyer Levi Baligod arrived at the National Bureau of Investigation on Thursday morning to respond to the subpoena issued against them. The subpoena was issued following an earlier press conference presented the 18 individuals as former Marines who allegedly served as “bagmen” responsible for delivering bribes to government officials. (INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ) Prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) have recommended the filing of cyber libel charges against lawyer Levito Baligod and his 18 witnesses who claim to be former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co. In a resolution dated July 13, the DOJ also approved the filing of perjury charges against Baligod’s witnesses—Belnard Tube, Rosebert Waupan, Benny Bulotante, Johnny Buduan, Rodante Orbillo, Reyneboy Julian, Christopher Esquivel, George Villalon Jr., Romeo Bobares, Gil Navidad Jr., Anselmo Taberdo, Joely Cadiao, Rommel Galapon, Cecilio Larroder Jr., Bernard Gumban, Crisanie Dado, Fidel Corpuz and Walter Manalansan. But it spared Baligod from the same charge for “lack of prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction.” Article continues after this advertisement “The malice element of both offenses charged pertains to the declarants’ reckless disregard … and not whether the statement was actually true or false,” DOJ prosecutors said in their 17-page findings. The prosecutors further noted that the resolution should not be taken as a determination of the truthfulness or falsity of the respondents’ statements in their joint affidavit, which was submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman on Feb. 26. Allegations filed The findings stemmed from the charges filed in March by retired Philippine Army general and former National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, after the respondents alleged that he received a paper bag with a large amount of cash following a meeting with former Speaker Martin Romualdez and Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima. The allegations were made in the witnesses’ first public appearance at a press conference in San Juan City on Feb. 24. The joint affidavit sought to recommend the filing of graft and corruption charges against the concerned officials for allegedly receiving kickbacks from flood control projects to help finance the investigation of the International Criminal Court into the drug war on the watch of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Año, one of the officials named in the affidavit, called the allegations “malicious imputations” that were “bereft of truth.” INQ Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.