FORMER Justice secretary-turned Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima on Monday pointed to the Duterte camp as being allegedly behind allegations linking her to supposed kickbacks from flood control projects as she and a Catholic priest filed criminal complaints against lawyer Levito Baligod and 18 alleged former Marines.
In an ambush interview, De Lima said the allegations were part of a coordinated effort by allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte to create confusion amid ongoing political developments.
“Tama po si former Senator Sonny Trillianes, that it could only be the handiwork of the Duterte camp. Tingnan nyo po naging timing kung saan nandyan ‘yung impeachment procedures against the vice president, kung saan nandyan ‘yung mga kaganapan sa ICC (International Criminal Court) na katatapos lang ‘yung confirmation of charges hearing…saka nila nilabas ito. To distract, napaka-klaro po ng agenda na ‘yan. This is done with the intention to confuse and create confusion. Akala nila maraming kakagat. Akala nila maraming maniwiwala. Akala nila ay nakaka-cause ng some instability dito sa atin. ‘Yun po ang nakikita natin, kagagawan na naman ito ng Duterte camp,” De Lima said.
De Lima and 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Fr. Flaviano “Flavie” Villanueva, SVD first filed a cyberlibel complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division in Pasay City against Baligod and the group of 18 alleged former Marines.
The two later proceeded to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila to lodge a separate perjury complaint against the 18 individuals.
The respondents in both separate complaints include Belnard E. Tube, Rosebert M. Waupan, Benny S. Bulontate, Johnny A. Buduan, Rodante P. Orbillo, Reyneboy O. Julian, Christopher T. Esquivel, George O. Villalon Jr., Romeo Rommel O. Bobares, Gil N. Navidad 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.
De Lima, a former senator, also denied allegations that she received millions of pesos in cash from former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co.
“Atty. Baligod tried to ‘clarify’ in interviews that it was an oversight and that I supposedly received a paper bag instead of a suitcase. That is still a lie. Whether in a suitcase, a paper bag, or any container, I never received any money,” she said.
Villanueva, known for running “Program Paghilom” that helps families of victims of the Duterte administration’s drug war, said the complaint was meant to put an end to what he described as false accusations.
The soldiers also claimed that Villanueva was supposedly tapped by Trillanes to talk to officials of the ICC, an act they alleged was unlawful.
The accusations sprang from public interviews and a joint sworn statement filed before the Office of the Ombudsman by individuals claiming to be former security aides and “bagmen” of Co.
Trillanes and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año have also filed separate complaints against the 18 individuals and Baligod over the allegations.
