18 bodyguards, lawyer face new cyber libel charges

MANILA, Philippines — New cyber libel complaints have been filed against the 18 former bodyguards of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co.

The charges, this time, come from Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong who claimed that allegations that he received money are “false and malicious allegations.”

Adiong, in a statement on Thursday, confirmed that he has filed the complaints against the bodyguards and their lawyer Levito Baligod, seeking a total of P25 million in damages due to the 18 individuals’ claim that he was one of the House lawmakers who received suitcases of cash from Co.

The complaints were filed in Adiong’s home province, particularly in Marawi City.

“The accusations hurled against me by the Respondents are absolute fabrications, total falsehoods, and malicious inventions,” Adiong said in his affidavit.

“I have never met any of these eighteen (18) individuals. I have never received any suitcase of cash from anyone, and I have absolutely no involvement in the anomalous transactions they describe,” he added.

According to Adiong’s complaint, the respondents “acted with actual malice because they published an unverified, logistically impossible narrative with reckless disregard for whether it was true or false.”

The complaint stemmed from a press conference held last February 24, 2026, where Baligod and the 18 bodyguards, previously described as former Marine officers, claimed that lawmakers received kickbacks from Co – then chairperson of the House committee on appropriations – for infrastructure projects.

Adiong denied this allegation in February 2026, but the claims were repeated last Thursday, during a hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee spearheaded by the group supporting Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

READ: More solons question timing of cash suitcases issue 

“Having intentionally exposed the allegations to members of the media with the expectation that they would be reported to the public, Respondents are liable not only for the original publication of the defamatory imputations, but likewise for their foreseeable republication and dissemination through digital and online platforms,” the complaint stated.

“By reason of and as a direct consequence of these criminal acts, I suffered severe mental anguish, a besmirched reputation, and widespread social humiliation,” it added.

On Tuesday, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., who was also named as a recipient of the suitcases, filed libel and cyber libel complaints against the group and Baligod.

Abante went to the Manila City Hall to file the complaints, insisting that the accusations made in February 2026 by the 18 bodyguards, previously tagged as former Marine officers, are incorrect and baseless.

READ: Abante files libel, cyber libel raps vs Co’s 18 ex- bodyguards, Baligod

Then on Wednesday, Deputy Speaker Janette Garin also filed cyber libel and perjury raps against the same set of respondents.

READ: Rep. Garin files cyberlibel, perjury vs Baligod, 18 ‘bagmen’ of Zaldy Co

Several observers have also pointed out alleged inconsistencies and changes from the 18 individuals’ testimony last Thursday, and their original affidavit last February.  

Manila Rep. Joel Chua said that the venue in which the 18 bodyguards supposedly handed the money to him changed.

READ: 2 House prosecutors question inaccuracies in ‘18 Marines’ testimony 

Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez, meanwhile, questioned his sudden inclusion in the list of those who received the suitcases.

Alvarez rushed to the Senate last Thursday to confront the 18 individuals, saying that he did not receive any suitcase with cash.  

When asked what might have been the reason why he was suddenly included in the list, Alvarez said it might be because of his refusal to endorse an impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

According to the lawmaker, a certain Margarette who claimed to represent former lawmaker Mike Defensor — a supporter of the 18 Marines — texted him and sent a copy of the complaint against Marcos.

READ: Alvarez on 18 Marines’ claims: Payback for not backing Marcos ouster? 

When asked if he will endorse the complaint, Alvarez said he flatly denied the request. /apl