Baligod-Luy separation a non-factor in PDAF trials—Palace

Benhur Luy, the principal whistle-blower in the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam, has dropped his chief counsel, Levito Baligod (inset), saying the lawyer had been very busy with other advocacies. FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines—A simple break-up won’t shatter the investigation.

After Attorney Levito Baligod and Benhur Luy parted ways, Malacañang said that the break-up would not affect the case against Janet Lim-Napoles and the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam.

“I think that…it happens in any legal case that a lawyer may withdraw from the case for some differences,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said on a media briefing Wednesday. “But does it diminish the strength of the case? No it does not.”

Baligod may have left Luy’s side, but he is still active in the case as he continues to lawyer for Merlina Suñas, one of the whistleblowers of the PDAF scam.

Lacierda said that Baligod is still committed on the case even if he is no longer on the side of the chief ballhandler on the whistleblowers’ team.

“Atty. Baligod, himself, has mentioned the reason that his other advocacies is to strengthen the cases,” Lacierda said. “He is as committed even while he is no longer the lawyer for Mr. Benhur Luy.”

Lacierda added that Luy still has four lawyers on his side and that the Department of Justice “has taken up steps” that the latter would continue to have legal services.

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