Baligod, 18 ex-soldiers face additional charges

Additional charges loom against lawyer Levito Baligod and the 18 former soldiers in connection with other cyberlibel complaints filed by lawmakers that remain pending before the Department of Justice (DOJ) and local prosecution offices.

Earlier, the DOJ recommended the filing of multiple cyberlibel charges against Baligod and the 18 former soldiers in connection with separate complaints filed by other individuals.

According to DOJ spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano? Wait—actually, based on your copy: DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez said complaints involving other complainants are evaluated independently and may result in separate resolutions.

The DOJ official said he would verify the status of the complaints filed by Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. and Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda.

“But, as a general rule, each complaint is evaluated and resolved on the basis of its own allegations and evidence,” Martinez said.

“The findings in one case do not automatically determine the outcome of a separate complaint, even if they involve some of the same respondents or related circumstances,” he added.

The cyberlibel and perjury complaints were filed by Baronda before the DOJ against Baligod and the 18 former soldiers over alleged online statements linking her to supposed cash-filled luggage allegedly distributed in connection with the flood control scandal.

Atty. Jeric Jucaban, counsel for Baronda, said Baligod and the 18 former soldiers were named as respondents in the complaint.

A separate libel and cyberlibel complaint was filed by Manila Rep. Abante before the Manila Prosecutor’s Office against the 18 former bodyguards of former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and Baligod.

The lawmaker accused the respondents of spreading allegations that he and other lawmakers received suitcases of cash from Co.

Abante denied the allegations as false, baseless, and politically motivated.

Meanwhile, Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin also filed cyberlibel and perjury complaints before the DOJ against Baligod and the 18 former soldiers over allegations linking her to the alleged receipt of cash-filled luggage.

She denied receiving any bag, envelope, or luggage containing money from Co.

These pending complaints are separate from the cases already acted upon by the DOJ.

Recently, the DOJ approved recommendations to file multiple informations against Baligod and the 18 former soldiers arising from complaints filed by former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, Fr. Flaviano Lopez Villanueva, Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio P. Catapang Jr., and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.

Baligod faces four counts of cyberlibel—three jointly with the 18 former soldiers and one in his individual capacity. No perjury charge was recommended against him.

At least 10 separate informations were recommended against the 18 former soldiers, involving six counts of cyberlibel and four counts of perjury.

According to the DOJ, the cases stemmed from allegations involving the execution and dissemination of a joint sworn statement, press conferences and interviews, social media posts, and other online publications.

The DOJ said the recommendations were reached after prosecutors evaluated the evidence submitted by both sides during the preliminary investigation.

The DOJ added that the corresponding informations will be filed before the appropriate courts.