Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

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/1785506020832bagmen.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Individuals who claimed to be ex-security aides of former lawmaker Zaldy Co face members of the media during an interview session at Valle Verde Country Club on March 5, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/file </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Justice said it was up to the courts to issue arrest warrants against the 18 “Maleta Boys” and their lawyer Levito Baligod who are <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/29/doj-18-maleta-boys-to-be-charged-with-10-cyberlibel-perjury-cases-1410">facing charges of cyberlibel and perjury.</a></p><p>DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty said the Regional Trial Courts have the power to issue the warrants on the cyberlibel and perjury cases pending before the RTC’s of Las Pinas City, Muntinlupa City, San Juan City and Caloocan City. </p><p>“Sa puntong ito, labas na sa kamay namin ang paglabas ng warrant of arrest. Ang mga korte na mismo ang may pasya kung ilalabas nila ang warrant of arrest,” Ty said. </p><p>Baligod and the 18 respondents are facing the charges over the statements they made on supposed payoffs made by former lawmaker Zaldy Co to various individuals, including former and current government officials.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/17/-ex-marines-reappear-before-nbi-1037">‘Ex-Marines’ reappear before NBI </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/26/lawyer-refers-affidavit-of-ex-marines-vs-lawmakers-gov-t-officials-to-ombudsman-1349">Lawyer refers affidavit of &#x27;ex-Marines&#x27; vs lawmakers, gov&#x27;t officials to Ombudsman </a></div><p>Baligod posted on Facebook that prosecutors of the National Prosecution Service were working on the issuance of the warrants within the week. </p><p>“Sila mismo nag-file sa OCCs (Office of the Clerk of Court), hinihintay ma-raffle para makakuha sila ng warrants of arrest sa Friday,” Baligod said.</p><p>DOJ Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato however said only the cases before the RTC of Caloocan City were raffled off to a specific branch, while the case before the RTCs of Las Pinas, Muntinlupa and San Juan were still awaiting raffle. </p><p>Dato also assured the public that government prosecutors are strictly adhering to established rules of procedure.</p><p>“I am confident those swill tand scrutiny and they have followed strictly the rules of procedure,” Dato said.</p><p>Dato noted that the bail recommended for perjury is P18,000 per respondent and P10,000 for cyberlibel.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/5/remulla-says-18-ex-marines-out-to-incite-other-soldiers-to-rise-up-in-arms-1413">Remulla says 18 ‘ex-Marines’ out to incite other soldiers to ‘rise up in arms’ </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/19/agri-chief-files-cyber-libel-complaint-vs-zaldy-co-baligod-1032">Agri chief files cyber libel complaints vs Zaldy Co, Baligod </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/25/palace-dismisses-new-bagmen-claim-as-lousy-scriptwriting-1539">Palace dismisses new &#x27;bagmen&#x27; claim as &#x27;lousy scriptwriting&#x27; </a></div><div><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/c-KlU1k--Jw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><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/POYomkKU_Ro?&amp;pp=0gcJCaMLAYcqIYzv&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Department of Justice said it was up to the courts to issue arrest warrants against the 18 “Maleta Boys” and their lawyer Atty. Levito Baligod who are facing charges of cyberlibel and perjury. </p>

The Department of Justice said it was up to the courts to issue arrest warrants against the 18 “Maleta Boys” and their lawyer Atty. Levito Baligod who are facing charges of cyberlibel and perjury.

DOJ says up to courts to issue arrest warrants vs 18 ‘maleta boys’, lawyer

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DOJ says up to courts to issue arrest warrants vs 18 ‘maleta boys’, lawyer

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 30, 2026 04:35 PM PHT

|

Updated July 31, 2026 09:54 PM PHT

Read More:

DOJ

Department of Justice

maleta boys

arrest warrant

Levito Baligod

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