The 18 alleged bagmen linked to former congressman Zaldy Co are facing additional legal trouble after Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong filed cyberlibel complaints against them before the City Prosecutor’s Office in Marawi City over allegations that lawmakers received cash-filled luggage.

Adiong, one of several lawmakers named in the joint affidavit executed by Co’s alleged aides, said the accusations were false, malicious and damaging to his reputation.

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

He denied receiving funds from any of the respondents and said he had never personally interacted with them.

Adiong sought P20 million in moral and P5 million in exemplary damages.

Aside from Adiong, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, Manila Rep. Benny Abante and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin have also filed similar complaints against the individuals.

Kickbacks

In affidavits first made public in February, the alleged bagmen claimed they delivered “maletas,” or luggage, to various locations, with lawmakers supposedly serving as recipients.

The allegations were linked to the multibillion-peso flood control controversy and also mentioned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez as top recipients of kickbacks.

Adiong said the public release of the affidavits and their subsequent circulation on social media appeared to be a deliberate effort to damage the reputations of those named.

“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,” he said.

The complaints came days after the 18 individuals, along with lawyer Levi Baligod, appeared before a Senate hearing on 8 June.

Following the hearing, they were summoned by the Office of the Ombudsman, which is conducting a separate investigation into the flood control controversy.