A formal cyber libel complaint has been lodged with the National Bureau of Investigation’s Cybercrime Division against Atty. Levito Baligod and 18 individuals who publicly identified themselves as former Marines, accusing them of making damaging false statements during a press conference.
Fr. Flaviano “Flavie” Villanueva, a 2025 Ramon Magsaysay awardee, and Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima personally appeared at the NBI office on Monday morning at around 9 a.m. to pursue the legal action. Both were among several public figures named by Baligod and the supposed ex-servicemen as alleged beneficiaries of illicit payments tied to questionable flood control projects linked to former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co.
Baligod has since acknowledged an “oversight” in including De Lima among those he accused of receiving suitcases filled with money. He nonetheless maintained that despite the admitted “error,” he listed her name because she had allegedly attended gatherings where a “paper bag” of cash was handed to her.
Speaking to reporters before heading to the NBI, De Lima said in Filipino that efforts to damage her credibility were nothing new. “They have done it before. They are doing it again. So not again. I will not allow them to tarnish my character, my name again for whatever agenda they have,” she said.
“So they must pay for that,” she emphasized.
The NBI had already taken steps before Monday’s complaint, having issued subpoenas the previous week directed at Baligod and the 18 purported Marines in connection with the accusations.
