Baligod denies quarreling with former client

Atty. Levito Baligod INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Levito Baligod on Monday said whistleblower Merlina Suñas decided to replace him as her lawyer because he was busy tending to pork scam cases filed before the Supreme Court.

“Ang napagkasunduan namin ni Ginang Suñas kailangan din pong magbigay tayo ng panahon sa ibang aspeto ng PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) cases,” he told Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

(Mrs. Suñas and I agreed that I should also devote time to other aspects of the PDAF cases.

“Wala pong away na ganoon gaya ng pilit na pinapalabas ng (iba),” Baligod said of rumors that he and Suñas quarreled.

(There was no such fight between us amid what others are trying to make it look like.)

Baligod explained that he was still answering two cases filed before the high court – one filed by Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and another by Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada.

The lawyer said Revilla wanted the court to halt and declare as illegal the Office of the Ombudsman’s preliminary investigation on his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. He added that Estrada was claiming that his right to due process was violated when he was denied a copy of the affidavits of Ruby Tuason and Dennis Cunanan.

Baligod said Dominic Garen, will replace him as Suñas’ lawyer. He added that Garen was among the lawyers he had earlier recommended to help in the filing of cases related to the pork barrel scam.

During the interview, Baligod complained against the publication of the letters between him and the whistleblowers without his permission.

A couple of days ago, media reported that Suñas sent a letter to Baligod, dropping him as her lawyer.

Back in March, a similar letter from principal pork barrel scam whistleblower Benhur Luy was released by media.

Baligod said he has yet to personally receive that letter amid being released to the public.

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