Jamaine Punzalan

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. answers questions during a press conference, June 25, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Johnson Manabat

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177388743221020240625-laurel-francisco-agri-sec-JC-5.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. answers questions during a press conference, June 25, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. filed Thursday separate cyber libel complaints against former lawmaker Zaldy Co and lawyer Levito Baligod. </p><p>Tiu-Laurel said his complaint against Baligod stemmed from his submission of the affidavit of supposed former Marines, who claimed to have delivered suitcases of cash to several public officials. </p><p>Meanwhile, Co last year tagged Tiu-Laurel in supposed importation irregularities, which the agriculture chief said were fabricated lies.</p><p>“Puro kasinungalingan yung kanilang pinagsasabi sa affidavit at purely walang katotohanan, it’s purely fiction,” Tiu-Laurel said of the former Marines’ claims. </p><p>“Tapos yung kay Zaldy Co naman, I did a press statement on that - ngayon lang nagkaroon ng oras para filan so pinagsabay ko na kasi talagang sobra na yung paninira ng mga yan,” he told reporters. </p><p>“Kailangan na lumaban eh, kasi sumosobra na sila,” he added. </p><p>Tiu-Laurel denied the allegations by Baligod and Co. </p><p>He noted that he no longer lives in Forbes Park in Makati City where the alleged suitcases of money came from. </p><p>“Unang-una, 2018 pa ako hindi nakatira doon. I live in another place in Makati, not in that village at all. So yun lang, palpak na eh. I don’t know any of those 18,” Tiu-Laurel said.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1375523907946992%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><p>Addressing the supposed former soldiers, he said: “Tell the truth. Kung maninira kayo, sana naman may hint na lang ng katotohanan, hindi yung pure fabrication…so kailangan eh managot sila.” </p><p>“Sabihin n’yo na yung totoo para hindi kayo gamitin ng mga, kung sino man ang nasa likod niyan,” he said.   </p><p>His lawyer Rovinna Yap clarified that the so-called 18 marines were not included in her client’s cyber libel complaints. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/17/baligod-says-statements-made-by-18-ex-marines-are-eyewitness-accounts-2222">Baligod says statements made by 18 &#x27;ex-Marines&#x27; are eyewitness accounts</a></div><div><iframe width="725" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/odvJGuCHHCA" title="Why Ombudsman is insisting on 18 separate affidavits for 18 ex-Marines | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="726" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n-ymCMROsl4" title="What &#x27;ex-Marines&#x27; said after facing NBI | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. filed Thursday separate cyber libel complaints against former lawmaker Zaldy Co and lawyer Levito Baligod.</p>

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. filed Thursday separate cyber libel complaints against former lawmaker Zaldy Co and lawyer Levito Baligod.

Agri chief files cyber libel complaints vs Zaldy Co, Baligod

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

Agri chief files cyber libel complaints vs Zaldy Co, Baligod

Johnson Manabat,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 19, 2026 10:32 AM PHT

|

Updated Mar 19, 2026 12:24 PM PHT

Read More:

Tiu Laurel

Baligod

Zaldy Co

cyber libel

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.