Metro Manila, Philippines – The 18 former bodyguards of fugitive ex-Rep. Zaldy Co, who claimed to have delivered suitcases of kickbacks from government projects to government officials, will soon face criminal charges in court with their lawyer.
The Department of Justice in a statement on Tuesday, July 28, announced it approved the recommendations of investigating prosecutors to file charges against the people, including lawyer Levi Baligod.
The 18 former bodyguards will face six counts of cyber libel and four counts of perjury, while Baligod will face four counts of cyber libel.
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the charges stem from complaints filed by Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima, former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes, Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr., and former National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.
“The cases arose from several complaints involving the execution and dissemination of a joint sworn statement, related press conferences and interviews, social media posts, and other online publications,” the DOJ said.
“The approval of the recommendations constitutes a determination, for purposes of preliminary investigation, that prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction exists,” it added.
Trillanes earlier announced the development on social media, saying: “More to come.”
Baligod’s clients had accused a number of government officials of receiving kickbacks from alleged anomalous flood control projects in affidavits and testimonies submitted to the Senate and discussed during press conferences.
