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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Baligod accuses ICC of accepting favors amid drug war probe; Trillanes vows cyber libel case

Baligod accuses ICC of accepting favors amid drug war probe; Trillanes vows cyber libel case

Published Feb 24, 2026 04:23 pm
Pork Barrel Fund Scam whistleblower Atty. Levi Baligod speaks during a press conference in San Juan City on Tuesday, Feb. 24. (Photo from Mike Defensor)
Pork Barrel Fund Scam whistleblower Atty. Levi Baligod speaks during a press conference in San Juan City on Tuesday, Feb. 24. (Photo from Mike Defensor)
Pork barrel fund scam whistleblower Atty. Levi Baligod alleged that International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators were "wined and dined" by individuals publicly known to be opponents of those they were investigating.
He made the claim while presenting 18 former Marines who reportedly worked for Zaldy Co and were allegedly tasked with delivering suitcases of money to several high-ranking government officials.
At a press conference in San Juan City on Tuesday, Feb. 24, Baligod alleged that part of the funds from the flood control scandal were spent on ICC investigators, particularly those probing former President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.
According to him, the former Marines were allegedly ordered by Co to convert two suitcases containing P56 million for "foreigners,"  later  identified as ICC officials set to interview witnesses allegedly chosen by former Senator Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV.
The interviews were conducted in private properties rather than government offices, the former Marines claimed.
“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 (The ICC investigators, themselves, committed graft and corruption, because why did they let all their vehicles, all their food, and all their accommodations be paid for by people they knew were enemies of the people they were investigating)," Baligod exclaimed, noting that their group would be filing a complaint before the Ombudsman regarding the matter.
“We will prove that the conduct of the ICC investigators in the Philippines is unprecedented, because they were dined and wined by people who are publicly known to be opponents of the people hosting them,” the lawyer stressed.
In a statement, Trillanes denied the claims, saying that he will file cyber libel charges against Baligod, the 18 Marines, and several others.
"I vehemently deny that I received $2M or any amount from Zaldy Co for the ICC investigation or any other purpose. This is an attempt to discredit the ongoing ICC proceedings against Duterte. I will be filing cyberlibel cases against Levi Baligod, Mike Defensor, Jay Sonza, the 18 ex-soldiers, and all those who are maliciously circulating this blatant lie. This is not new to me. I will not be distracted. Hahabulin ko kayo (I vehemently deny that I received $2M or any amount from Zaldy Co for the ICC investigation or any other purpose. This is an attempt to discredit the ongoing ICC proceedings against Duterte. I will be filing cyberlibel cases against Levi Baligod, Mike Defensor, Jay Sonza, the 18 ex-soldiers, and all those who are maliciously circulating this blatant lie. This is not new to me. I will not be distracted. I will go after you)," Trillanes said.

Related Tags

ICC GRAFT CORRUPTION LEVI BALIGOD ANTONIO SONNY TRILLANES IV
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