MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved the filing of multiple criminal charges against lawyer Levito Baligod and 18 former soldiers collectively known as the “Maleta Boys” following a preliminary investigation.
The National Prosecution Service approved the filing of 10 criminal Informations against the 18 respondents, consisting of six counts of cyber libel and four counts of perjury.
DOJ spokesperson lawyer Polo Martinez said Baligod will face four counts of cyber libel—one in his individual capacity and three jointly with the 18 respondents. Prosecutors did not recommend any perjury charges against Baligod.
The complaints stem from the execution and distribution of a joint sworn statement, as well as related press conferences, media interviews, social media posts and online publications.
The DOJ, through the Office of the Prosecutor General, approved the filing of the charges after reviewing the evidence and the recommendations submitted by investigating prosecutors.
The complaints were filed by Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.
In one of the resolutions, prosecutors said the evidence gathered during the preliminary investigation established probable cause to believe Baligod and the respondents acted together in publicly disseminating allegedly defamatory statements against Trillanes through various media platforms.
The complaint alleged that the respondents accused Trillanes of receiving $2 million from former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to facilitate the entry of International Criminal Court investigators into the Philippines and allegedly bribe the tribunal in The Hague.
The DOJ dismissed the complaint filed by Flaviano Lopez Villanueva.
With the approval of the resolutions, prosecutors will file the criminal Informations in court.
Baligod said he would seek reconsideration of the DOJ’s decision, arguing there was no proof that he or the respondents posted the joint sworn statement on social media and maintaining that the perjury allegations were inconsistent with findings cited in an Office of the Ombudsman public announcement.
