De Lima, Fr. Flavie sue Baligod, 18 ex-Marines

Mamamayang Liberal partylist Rep. Leila de Lima and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Fr. Flavie Villanueva on Monday filed cyber libel complaints before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against 18 individuals claiming to be former Marines and their lawyer, Levito Baligod, over allegations that the two received bribes from fugitive former Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Zaldy Co.

The complaint arose from allegations in an affidavit executed by the group that several lawmakers — including De Lima — and Villanueva received suitcases of cash from Co to purportedly build cases against former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Baligod had earlier admitted that De Lima’s name was erroneously included in the affidavit submitted by the so-called former Marines.

On 26 February, the lawyer acknowledged that the mention of the lawmaker was in error.

Despite this admission, De Lima said she would also pursue a perjury complaint against the former Marines before the Department of Justice.

Villanueva and De Lima firmly denied the allegations, saying that inconsistencies in the group’s claims indicated the accusations were fabricated.

De Lima said the accusers could not even keep their story straight — from saying the money was delivered in suitcases to later claiming it was placed in a paper bag.

She said the shifting accounts undermined the credibility of the accusers.