Manila solon sues Zaldy Co’s alleged ‘bagmen,’ lawyer for libel

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. has filed libel and cyberlibel complaints against the 18 former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co and their lawyer Levito Baligod, who claimed he received suitcases full of cash during the 19th Congress.

Abante went to the Manila City Hall on Tuesday to file the complaints, insisting the accusations made in an affidavit released in February by the 18 bodyguards, previously tagged as former Marine officers, were incorrect and baseless.

“Simply put, the unsigned and unnotarized Libelous Salaysay [statement] alleges that I, a public servant, was one of the recipients of ‘kickbacks,’” Abante said. “Such allegation is completely false and untrue. I vehemently deny and refute the incorrect, baseless, and misleading libelous statements in the Libelous Salaysay distributed and broadcast to the media during the Libelous Press Conference, and thereafter published on respondent DWSI’s Facebook page.”

READ: Tulfo rejects ‘18 Marines’ label, calls alleged bagmen ‘kargadors’

He added that the 18 bodyguards and Baligod could have brought the matter to the proper forum, but they “deliberately chose a public tirade over proper processes and channels.”

“To make matters worse, the Libelous Press Conference brazenly paraded the Libelous Salaysay—then still unsigned by the 18 Marine Respondents and unnotarized, thus not under oath—before the public eye,” Abante said in the complaint.

The lawmaker said he has neither met any of the 18 bodyguards nor did he receive money from Co.

READ: 18 ‘bagmen’ case: Baligod says Matibag relies on ‘fake’ documents

Allegations reiterated

“Significantly, the allegations lack any specific date or circumstance of the claimed delivery and receipt, while photographs show only cash, luggage and strangers, establishing nothing. Coupled with their groundless tale, this amounts to nothing more than smoke and mirrors slander,” he added.

Discussions about the claims of the 18 bodyguards resurfaced again as the group led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano conducted a blue ribbon committee hearing on June 4.

The hearing pushed through despite the fact that the day before, the new majority composed of 12 senators had elected Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as acting Senate President while new committee chairs were named.

During the June 4 hearing, the 18 confessed “bagmen” testified and reiterated several of their allegations, including that they used to work for Co, who used to head the House appropriations committee. They claimed they were tasked by Co to deliver suitcases allegedly filled with cash to different individuals, including several House members. /cb