Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Lawyer Levi Baligod arrives here at the Office of the Ombudsman to file a document. Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Daniza Fernandez

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178696143361320260226-ombudsman-baligod-MT6.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Lawyer Levito “Levi” Baligod, accompanied by his legal team, files a formal complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, February 26. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File"/>Lawyer Levito “Levi” Baligod, accompanied by his legal team, files a formal complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, February 26. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA (UPDATED) — Lawyer Levito Baligod said Monday he will present additional witnesses who will strengthen the case against those involved in the anomalies of flood control projects.Baligod is the lawyer of 14 out of 18 former bodyguards of resigned congressman Zaldy Co. The former bodyguards, initially and incorrectly referred to as Marines, previously claimed to have delivered suitcases of money to officials, including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte. Four of the original 18 have recanted their statements.The lawyer did not disclose the number of additional witnesses.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/14/baligod-ombudsman-lawyers-to-prepare-affidavit-on-maleta-boys-following-recantations-2041">Baligod, Ombudsman lawyers to prepare affidavit on ‘maleta boys’ following recantations </a></div>&quot;Pero marami pang mga karagdagang impormasyon tayo na ibigay na ang bottomline niyan, ang purpose niyan ay mapalakas pa ang ating mga kaso,&quot; Baligod said.&quot;Kung sino ang mga idadagdag natin witnesses ay huwag n’yo muna akong tanungin dahil confidential pa &#x27;yan. Hangga’t hindi pa sila naka-submit ng kanilang affidavit ay hindi ko pa maibabahagi sa publiko kung sino ang mga additional witnesses na ito,&quot; he added.Baligod and the former bodyguards went to the Office of the Ombudsman to explain the circumstances surrounding the recantation of four others, claiming they were bribed to withdraw their allegations related to corruption in flood-control projects.Baligod said they will also present screenshots and recorded conversations to support his bribery allegations.He acknowledged that these are inadmissible as evidence under the Anti-Wire Tapping Law, which also penalizes recording conversations without the consent of all involved.Baligod did not say who is behind the bribes, alleging only that offers went up to P25 million for recantations. The lawyer also alleged that the four former bodyguards who recanted are together and &quot;are not at liberty to move around.&quot;He said he and the rest of the former bodyguards will refute the claim that Ombudsman personnel threatened them into signing their affidavit on their allegations.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/10/18-ex-bagmen-baligod-face-more-criminal-complaints-1621">18 &#x27;ex-bagmen&#x27;, Baligod face more criminal complaints</a></div>&quot;Ang akala nila ligtas na sila sa mga kaso nila pero itong ginawa nilang pagbaliktad sa ating isinawalat na korapsyon sa ating bayan, &#x27;yung paninindigan nila [ay] pinagbili,&quot; said Johnny Buduan, one of the bodyguards.Baligod and the 14 former bodyguards will also answer the counter-affidavits of the respondents in the case.

Lawyer Levito Baligod said Monday he will present additional witnesses who will strengthen the case against those involved in the anomalies of flood control projects.

Lawyer Levito Baligod said Monday he will present additional witnesses who will strengthen the case against those involved in the anomalies of flood control projects.

Baligod to present additional witnesses to strengthen flood control case

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Baligod to present additional witnesses to strengthen flood control case

Daniza Fernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 17, 2026 01:35 PM PHT

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Updated August 17, 2026 06:10 PM PHT

Read More:

Levi Baligod

Office of the Ombudsman

Maleta Boys

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