Baligod warns more revelations in suitcase cash delivery scheme

MANILA, Philippines — The testimonies of the 18 self-proclaimed former Marines detailing a multibillion-peso cash delivery scheme are only a “window” into a much broader network, with 14 additional witnesses prepared to implicate a wider circle of personalities, lawyer Levito Baligod said on Monday.

He also said that what the public has seen so far is merely a starting point and not the full case.

“What we showed was just a window. We have not even opened the door yet for people to see everything these men remembered and experienced,” Baligod told reporters at the Department of Justice after attending a preliminary investigation on the cyberlibel case filed by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

“When I was interviewing them, believe it or not, there was so much information coming in and so many videos that they entrusted to me,” he added.

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Baligod pushed back against efforts to discredit the 18 individuals ahead of a formal institutional investigation.

He also revealed that a second group of 14 witnesses possesses additional information related to the controversy.

“I have submitted 14 names at the Senate to subpoena in the next hearing,” Baligod said, clarifying that the list was submitted to the Cayetano bloc’s committee.

“I submitted 14 names to the Senate for subpoena so they can be scrutinized during the next hearing. They can ask incisive questions to determine what these 14 individuals know,” he added.

When asked whether the 14 witnesses would merely corroborate previous testimony or provide new information, Baligod said in Filipino: “There is a lot of new information and many new personalities.”

Instead of preparing joint affidavits for the new witnesses, Baligod said he is considering presenting them directly to legislative investigators for live questioning.

“I am thinking of not preparing affidavits for them anymore. I will present them to the Senate and let the senators grill each and every one of the 14. They can ask whatever questions they want to find out what these witnesses know,” he said in Filipino.

Meanwhile, Baligod confirmed that the Office of the Ombudsman has scheduled the appearance of the alleged former soldiers for an inquiry on June 11, 15, and 16. /mcm