THE Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148 has issued an arrest warrant against lawyer Levito Baligod in connection with two counts of cyber libel.
The case stems from a complaint filed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who was accused by Baligod of receiving kickbacks related to flood control projects.
Baligod serves as legal counsel for the 18 individuals who have presented themselves as alleged bagmen of former Congressman Zaldy Co. The court has set the bail amount at ₱20,000 for each count, totaling ₱40,000 should he choose to post bail to temporarily avoid detention while the case proceeds.
In his reaction to the warrant, Baligod claimed the process was flawed. “This case slipped through… because the address given to the prosecutor’s office was deliberately incorrect, so I never received a subpoena and was not able to submit my counter‑affidavit. They refuse to fight fairly,” he said, asserting that he was denied due process.
metrosundaily
