Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Kaxandra Salonga

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/17840028877592026071402074_ANCTOA HEADSTART1 071426_frame_22458 (2).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Eighteen ex-Marines, represented by lawyer Levito Baligod, testify at a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the flood control controversy, which was called by the Cayetano bloc on June 4, 2026. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The lawyer for the alleged former bodyguards of fugitive former lawmaker Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co claimed he was denied the opportunity to respond to a cyberlibel complaint because the complainant allegedly provided an incorrect address.</p><p>In a Facebook post on Monday, lawyer Levito Baligod said he received a copy of a warrant for his arrest in connection with the cyberlibel case.</p><p>The document reportedly issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 148 in Makati showed bail was set at P20,000 for the two counts of cyberlibel.</p><p>Baligod alleged the complaint proceeded without his counter-affidavit because the address indicated in the complaint was deliberately incorrect.</p><p>&quot;All complaining legislators (in the other 13 libel cases) got my correct address except this one where the complainant deliberately supplied a wrong address. No other intention but to deny me the chance to submit a counter-affidavit,&quot; Baligod said in a message.</p><p>Baligod represents individuals who identified themselves as former bodyguards of Co. </p><p>The men earlier alleged they delivered suitcases of cash to several lawmakers as kickbacks from flood control projects.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HuVYql3X0p4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Levito Baligod alleged the complaint proceeded without his counter-affidavit because the address indicated in the complaint was deliberately incorrect.</p>

Levito Baligod alleged the complaint proceeded without his counter-affidavit because the address indicated in the complaint was deliberately incorrect.

Lawyer of ex-Co bodyguards claims he was denied chance to respond before warrant

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Lawyer of ex-Co bodyguards claims he was denied chance to respond before warrant

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 14, 2026 12:29 PM PHT

Read More:

cyberlibel

baligod

Co

delivering

flood control

kickback

corruption

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