De Lima, priest file criminal raps against 18 ‘ex-Marines’ over bribery allegations

PARTY-LIST Rep. Leila M. de Lima and Catholic priest Flaviano Antonio L. Villanueva on Monday filed criminal complaints against 18 individuals claiming to be former soldiers and their legal counsel over their bribery claims.

Ms. de Lima and Mr. Villanueva filed libel, cyberlibel complaints before the Department of Justice (DoJ) and separate perjury complaints in the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against the ex-Marines and their lawyer, Levi Baligod.

The case stemmed from a joint sworn affidavit executed by the group alleging that Ms. de Lima was among several lawmakers who received suitcases of cash ranging from P30 million to P70 million. These alleged transactions reportedly took place following a meeting with former lawmaker Elizaldy S. Co and former Speaker Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

The affidavit also linked Ms. de Lima and Mr. Villanueva in an alleged bribery scheme involving International Criminal Court (ICC) personnel.

“I never received any such money from any of these ex-Marines and from any of those other persons stated in their sworn statement. So, I hope you listen, ask yourselves and your conscience. Crime does not pay and lying under oath is a crime,” Ms. de Lima told reporters in an ambush interview at the DoJ in Filipino.

“It is clear to us that our complaints have basis. So, all that the proper authorities like the NBI and the DoJ have to do is just do their job properly,” she added.

For his part, Mr. Villanueva said that the legal action was taken on behalf of the homeless and the victims of extrajudicial killings to stand up for the truth. He said the bribery allegations were a calculated move to intimidate witnesses and undermine the ICC handling the case of former Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

“They want to insist that the witnesses are paid off,” Mr. Villanueva told reporters, adding that the timing of these claims was meant to destroy the integrity of the investigation.

In a statement sent to reporters, Mr. Baligod said it is within their rights to file the complaint, noting they will file their answer at the directive of the National Prosecution Service.

In a separate filing, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr. lodged criminal complaints for libel and perjury against the same respondents.

In the same sworn affidavit, the BuCor chief allegedly acted as a “bagman,” facilitating the transport of large sums of cash derived from purported criminal activities and kickbacks.

Mr. Catapang denied the claims, specifically refuting the accusation that he delivered eight suitcases of cash to any individual. “I said it is not true because first of all, I do not have that kind of money,” he said in an interview.

He maintained that BuCor funds are allocated for construction and essential services rather than anomalous projects, noting that the bureau is not involved in Department of Public Works and Highways scandal.

“My conscience is clear. True justice must arise from due process, not from the sensationalism of trial by publicity,” he said.

Earlier, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año and former Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV, who were also targeted by the allegations, lodged criminal complaints against the group.

“At this stage, the complaints will still have to be evaluated if sufficient for the conduct of preliminary investigation,” Justice spokesperson Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez told reporters in a Viber group chat.

He added that any decision regarding the consolidation of these cases would only occur after the preliminary probe is concluded and if the complaints are deemed sufficient to proceed to trial. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking