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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Año files cyber libel, perjury charges vs 18 'ex-Marines,' lawyer Baligod before DOJ

Año files cyber libel, perjury charges vs 18 'ex-Marines,' lawyer Baligod before DOJ

Published Mar 11, 2026 01:24 pm
National Security Adviser Eduardo M. Año on Wednesday, March 11, filed cyber libel and perjury charges against the 18 “former Marines” and their lawyer Levito Baligod in the alleged multi-billion-peso deliveries of “kickbacks” in the flood control projects.
Aside from Baligod, also named as respondents in the charges were Belnard A. Tube, Rosebert M. Waupan, Benny S. Bulotante, Johnny a. Buduan, Rodante P. Orbillo, Reyneboy O. Julian, Christopher T. Esquivel, George O. Villalon Jr., Romeo Rommel O. Bobares, Gil N. Natividad Jr., Anselmo Taberdo, Joely G. Cadiao, Rommel C. Galapon, Cecilio S. Larroder Jr., Bernard A. Gumban, Crisanie L. Dado, Fidel M. Corpuz, and Walter M. Manalansan.
Last week, Año filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) complaints for violations of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) on unlawful utterances and unlawful means of publication in relation to Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, against the 18 “former Marines,” Baligod and former congressman Mike Defensor.
In an interview at the DOJ, Año said: “Si Atty. Baligod, inadmit niya in public na he made the manipulation of the contents of the affidavit, no? Inadmit din niya that it’s an oversight or error on his part, (Atty. Baligod admitted in public that he manipulated the contents of the affidavit, right? He admitted that this was an oversight or error on his part.)
“So, sabi ng aking legal counsel, that constitutes to perjury (So, my legal counsel told me that constitutes forgery),” he also said.
Año was accused by the 18 “former Marines” of receiving a paper bag after a meeting with former congressman Zaldy Co, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and Mamamayang Liberal Representative Leila De Lima.
“I want to make it clear, wala naman akong pakialam doon sa ibang pinagsasabi nila. Doon lang ako concerned sa malicious imputations and publications directed against me (I want to make it clear that I don’t care about what else they’re saying. I am only concerned about the malicious imputations and publications directed against me),” he added.
The allegations against several government officials by the former alleged Marines were disclosed by Baligod during a press conference.
Later, the joint affidavit was submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman which has deputized the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a probe.
In his first complaint, Año said he included Defensor since the former congressman admitted having assisted the 18 alleged former Marines.
During his interview last week, Año denied the allegations made by the 18 alleged former Marines that he attended a meeting with Romualdez where he allegedly received money.
“I was really surprised. And of course, you can say I am really mad with their malicious imputations,” he declared.
Año pointed out that since he joined the government from his time with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of the Interior and Local Government up to his present position as national security adviser, his policy was “no take, no give.”
“I have to protect my name, I have to defend my honor because I will not sell my name to anyone for any amount, that was really a malicious imputation,” Año stressed.
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