Metro Manila, Philippines – The so-called 18 former marines – who accused a number of lawmakers of receiving kickbacks from anomalous flood control deals – are facing new complaints for cyber libel and perjury.
On Monday, March 9, Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima and Fr. Flavie Villanueva filed the complaint against the 18 and their counsel, Levi Baligod, before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Pasay City.
The two lodged a separate perjury complaint against the 18 people before the Department of Justice in Manila on the same day.
The group accused De Lima as an alleged recipient of cash-filled suitcases from fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co – a claim later on described by Baligod as “oversight.”
“Atty. Baligod tried to ‘clarify’ in interviews that it was an oversight and that I supposedly received a paper bag instead of a suitcase. That is still a lie. Whether in a suitcase, a paper bag, or any container, I never received any money,” De Lima said.
The lawmaker said the allegations may be part of a coordinated effort of the allies of detained former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The claims rose at the height of the confirmation of charges hearing against the former president at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, for crimes against humanity related to his bloody drug war.
It also coincided with the ongoing impeachment procedures against Vice President Sara Duterte at the House of Representatives.
“Akala nila maraming kakagat. Akala nila maraming maniwiwala. Akala nila ay nakaka-cause ng some instability dito sa atin. ‘Yun po ang nakikita natin, kagagawan na naman ito ng Duterte camp,” De Lima said.
[Translation: “They thought many people would take the bait. They thought many would believe it. They thought it could cause some instability here in our country. What we’re seeing is that this is once again the doing of the Duterte camp.]
Baligod earlier said a number of ex-marine officers have alleged that they delivered money to lawmakers and government officials, part of which was also used to pay the activities of ICC prosecutors in the country. The ICC office of the prosecutor denied the claims.
Villanueva, an advocate for drug war victims, said the legal action was meant to end what he called false accusations by the supposed marine officers.
In his complaint, Villanueva called out the respondents for implying that his humanitarian activities were funded by Co.
“Such imputation directly tends to dishonor, discredit, and place me in contempt before the public,” he said.
“Several persons who personally know me viewed said video and were shocked by respondents’ statements. As a result thereof, their perception of me was negatively affected and they temporarily believed that my humanitarian work and the operations of Bahay Kalinga were funded by illicit or corrupt sources, until I was able to personally clarify and explain the falsity of the accusations,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bureau of Corrections chief Gregorio Catapang also filed a perjury complaint against the alleged marine officers, describing the allegations as a demolition job. He also sought the disbarment of Baligod before the Supreme Court.
The group implicated Catapang in the supposed delivery of cash suitcases to Co.
Trillanes and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año earlier filed separate complaints against the 18 people over the allegations.
The navy previously said four of the alleged officers were never part of their group, while the majority of them were discharged dishonorably from the service.
