A group of former Marines surfaced in San Juan on Tuesday alongside attorney Levito “Levi” Baligod, who laid out a series of accusations involving alleged large-scale payoffs to politicians and claimed irregularities tied to the International Criminal Court’s activities in the Philippines.
At a press briefing held at Club Filipino, Baligod appeared with 18 Marines he identified as former colleagues of Master Sgt. Orly Regala Guteza, described as a surprise witness. He displayed documents he said included sworn statements detailing repeated cash transfers connected to public works projects, particularly flood control initiatives.
According to Baligod, the affidavits narrate how suitcases filled with money were transported to unnamed officials. He alleged that the funds originated from the residence of former House official Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co in Valle Verde Phase 6, Pasig City, even before contracts were finalized.
“Hindi pa nila nakukuha ang kontrata ay nag-uumpisa na silang mag-remit kay ginoong Zaldy Co, doon sa kanyang bahay sa Valle Verde Phase 6 sa Pasig City,” he asserted.
He claimed Co’s personnel would first inspect and count the cash before it was repacked and forwarded for distribution. Baligod alleged that the total amount involved reached around P805 billion and named several politicians as recipients, including President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., whom he accused of orchestrating the release of funds.
“Ang ugat at pinuno ng pagnanakaw sa ating bayan ay walang iba kundi si President Marcos, at hindi gagalaw si speaker Romualdez at si Zaldy Co na walang pahintulot kay PBBM,” Baligod claimed.
“I hold him responsible, because being the chief executive, being the head of the executive branch, he is the chief implementer of laws,” he added.
Beyond domestic officials, Baligod extended his allegations to the ICC, which opened an investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. He said that prior to ICC investigators’ arrival in December 2023, two bags containing P56 million were converted for what he described as “foreigners,” allegedly upon Co’s instruction.
He said the Marines later identified these individuals as ICC officers who were set to meet witnesses supposedly endorsed by former senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV.
“Wala silang ininterview na mga witnesses kundi ang mga tao lamang na pinapadala ni Sonny Trillanes, at ibinigay kay Sonny Trillanes ang pondo para sa pag-asikaso sa mga ICC investigators,” he said.
Baligod also claimed that some of the meetings with witnesses took place in private residences instead of official government venues. He argued that the ICC pursued its probe in the Philippines because it is considered a developing nation, suggesting that the tribunal would be unable to exercise similar authority over more affluent countries.
He further questioned the legitimacy of the tribunal’s authority, insisting that the ICC’s jurisdiction in the Philippines ceased in March 2019 and describing the ongoing proceedings as lacking a “bona fide” basis.
“The ICC investigators, themselves, committed graft and corruption, dahil bakit hinayaan nila na lahat ng sasakyan, lahat ng pagkain, lahat ng accomodations nila ay sinagot ng mga tao na kilala naman nila na kalaban ng kanilang iniimbestigahan,” Baligod said.
Baligod said his camp intends to bring the matter before the Office of the Ombudsman and expressed confidence that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla would “remain true to his oath of office.”
“Humahawak ako sa manipis na pag-asa na gagawin ng ombudsman ang kanyang trabaho,” he stated.
