Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Carlos Trazo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148 has ordered the arrest of lawyer Levito Baligod in connection with cyber libel charges filed by Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.The charge stems from allegations tied to supposed cash deliveries by 18 former aides of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co.Baligod confirmed on Monday afternoon that he had only just received a copy of the warrant for the two counts of cyberlibel that was already issued last June 15, 2026.In his Facebook post, he alleged that prosecutors had submitted an incorrect address, preventing him from receiving a subpoena and filing a counter-affidavit. “Kakatanggap ko ngayon ang kopya ng Warrant of Arrest laban sa akin. Nakalusot ang kaso na ito ni DA Secretary Laurel Tiu dahil sadyang MALI ang binigay na address ko sa Piskalya, kaya naman hindi ako nakatanggap ng subpoena at hindi naka-sumite ng counter-affidavit. Ayaw lumaban ng patas haha” (I have just received a copy of a warrant of arrest against me. This case filed by DA Secretary Laurel Tiu was able to pass through because the wrong address was given to the fiscal, that is why I was not able to receive a subpoena and submit a counter-affidavit. They don’t want to fight fair, haha),&quot; he ALLEGED.The charges stem from affidavits Baligod filed on behalf of the 18 ex-Marines, who claimed they delivered suitcases of cash to government officials, including to Laurel’s residence in Forbes Park, Makati. Laurel has strongly denied the accusations, calling them “pure fabrication” and stressing that he had not lived in Forbes Park since 2018 and had no dealings with the individuals involved.The complaints against Baligod were filed on March 19, 2026, alongside a separate case against Co. Laurel said the affidavits were part of a smear campaign linked to corruption allegations surrounding flood control projects.“Puro kasinungalingan yung kanilang pinagsasabi sa affidavit at purely walang katotohanan, it’s purely fiction,” Tiu-Laurel said of Co’s former bodyguard’s claims.“Kailangan na lumaban eh, kasi sumosobra na sila,” he added.

A Makati City court has ordered the arrest of lawyer Levito Baligod in connection with cyber libel charges filed by Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., stemming from allegations tied to supposed cash deliveries by 18 former bodyguards of Zaldy Co.

A Makati City court has ordered the arrest of lawyer Levito Baligod in connection with cyber libel charges filed by Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., stemming from allegations tied to supposed cash deliveries by 18 former bodyguards of Zaldy Co.

Arrest warrant issued vs Baligod over cyber libel charge

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Arrest warrant issued vs Baligod over cyber libel charge

Carlos Trazo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 13, 2026 10:49 PM PHT

Read More:

Levito Baligod

cyberlibel

warrant of arrest

Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr.

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