DEPUTY Speaker Jay Khonghun of Zambales welcomed the arrest of lawyer Levito Baligod and 14 individuals linked to the so‑called “maleta boys,” expressing confidence that the courts will now thoroughly examine the allegations that have tarnished the reputations of public officials.
Speaking following the issuance of arrest warrants, Khonghun emphasized that his decision to pursue legal recourse was driven by a desire to uphold his name and family’s dignity — not retaliation. “Justice, truth, and respect for the law are what I fight for — not revenge,” he declared.
The group was arrested Friday, October 16, at the San Juan Hall of Justice on warrants issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 69 in Iba, Zambales, facing charges of unjust vexation in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act. Bail was set at ₱10,000 per person; Baligod and four others secured release the same afternoon, while 10 remained in custody pending completion of their bail requirements.
The arrests stem from sworn statements and public interviews in which the individuals — claiming to be former security personnel of ex‑Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co — alleged they delivered suitcases of cash to officials including Khonghun in connection with flood control project kickbacks. Khonghun has firmly denied the claims.
The Department of Justice has also approved separate cyberlibel and perjury charges against Baligod and members of the group, with four of the original 18 accusers having since recanted their statements. Khonghun took special care to clarify that the conduct of the accused should not reflect on the Philippine Marine Corps, noting that individual accountability must never be confused with the institution’s integrity.
He reminded the public that an arrest warrant is not a finding of guilt: “The court alone will decide based on evidence and the law. Truth matters more than noise, and justice more than vengeance.”
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