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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Trillanes slaps Cayetano, Marcoleta with cyber libel case over June 4 hearing

Trillanes slaps Cayetano, Marcoleta with cyber libel case over June 4 hearing

18 'Maleta Boys' included in the charge sheet

Published Jun 25, 2026 05:23 pm
Former senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV filed on Thursday, June 25, a cyber libel case against Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Rodante Marcoleta in connection with the June 4 hearing when he was accused of receiving suitcases containing money.
The case was filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) and also charged were the 18 former security officers of ex-congressman Zaldy Co, referred to in the media and social media as the Maleta Boys.
While it was supposed to be a hearing of a Blue Ribbon Committee, Trillanes argued in his 27-page complaints that the allegations made at that time are not covered with immunity since it was declared as a rogue or bogus hearing.
During that time, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was already elected as acting Senate president and the new Senate majority already named Sen. Erwin Tulfo as Blue Ribbon chairman- replacing Sen. Pia Cayetano.
As chairperson of Blue Ribbon before her brother was ousted as Senate president, Cayetano authorized the conduct hearing under Marcoleta but it was declared as rogue by Tulfo.
In the complaint, Trillanes presented a transcript of the hearing showing both Cayetano and Marcoleta discussing the allegation that the former received a huge sum of money from Co’s alleged ex-security officers.
Trillanes also presented the transcript of the hearing showing Marcoleta’s alleged libelous statement over his role in the case filed before the International Criminal Court (ICC) against former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte is now detained at the Hague and facing crimes against humanity over the bloody drug war when he was still the mayor of Davao City and later the country’s president.
“The June 4, 2026 so-called ‘Blue Ribbon hearing’ is not an official hearing, hence, does
not fall under the “absolutely privileged communications” exception to the general rule on malice,” Trillanes’ complaint read.
“The presumption of malice stands with respect to the defamatory remarks made by Respondents Cayetano and Marcoleta,” it added.
On the part of the 18 Maleta Boys, this is the second time that Trillanes filed a case against them, the first was in March this year for perjury and cyber libel.
In past interviews, Trillanes said the 18 former security officers of Co are being used to attack several political personalities, particularly those aligned with President Marcos.

Related Tags

Cyber libel Antonio Trillanes IV Alan Peter Cayetano Rodante Marcoleta Maleta Boys
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