Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Erwin Tulfo on Wednesday, July 8, filed a complaint for grave oral defamation against lawyer Levito Baligod, former lawmaker Mike Defensor, Quezon City Councilor Ranulfo Ludovica, and three others with the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office.
Other respondents were self-proclaimed ex-bodyguards of fugitive and former Rep. Zaldy Co Jeron Valderama and Bernard Gumban, as well as lawyer Virgilio Garcia.
The complaint is in connection with statements during what Tulfo described as an unauthorized Blue Ribbon committee hearing held on June 16 at the Doublegem EDSA Garden Events Place.
In his complaint affidavit, Tulfo said some of the defamatory statements included claims that he received two suitcases allegedly containing ₱40 million to ₱50 million before the senatorial elections and that cash was delivered to his residence in Greenhills, San Juan.
He said the statements, which he attributed to Valderama and Gumban during the event, were false, malicious, and intended to damage his reputation.
