Solon files cyber libel, perjury vs 18 ex-soldiers over 'maleta' claims
Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda has filed a cyber libel and perjury case on Wednesday, June 3, before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against lawyer Levito Baligod and 18 former soldiers over accusations that she is one of the recipients of cash deliveries from former congressman Elizaldy Co.
“I would not let these attacks pass,” Baronda told reporters at the DOJ after having filed the complaint.
Baronda stressed that there is no truth to the allegations made against her by the group of Baligod.
“Kailangan ko i-defend ang institution and at the same time as a mother (I need to defend the House of Representatives as an institution and myself as a mother),” she stated.
The complaints stemmed from the Feb. 23 press conference of Baligod and 18 former soldiers who alleged that the former military men delivered billions in pesos in cash to various government officials upon the instructions of Co.
Baligod and the 18 former soldiers are currently undergoing preliminary investigations before a panel of prosecutors of the DOJ over other complaints for the same incidents.
These complaints were filed separately by Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-List Rep. Leila de Lima, human rights activist Fr. Flavie Villanueva, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., former senator Antonio Trillanes IV.