'Maleta' boys face more legal woes

MAMAMAYANG Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima on Monday filed libel and cyber libel complaints before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against the 18 alleged former soldiers, dubbed by netizens as the "maleta" boys, and lawyer Levito Baligod for linking her to a supposed bribery and kickback scheme involving high-ranking government officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and lawmakers.

- BY ASHZEL HACHERO Reporter

Joining De Lima in the complaint is Catholic priest and 2005 Ramon Magsaysay awardee Fr. Flaviano "Flavie" Antonio Villanueva.

De Lima and Villanueva also filed perjury complaints against the ex-Marines and Army personnel before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The supposed former military personnel, assisted by Baligod, have accused De Lima and Villanueva of allegedly accepting cash contained in suitcases from former congressman Zaldy Co to build up the crimes against humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The 18 former servicemen have claimed that they previously worked as security and logistics personnel of Co.

"We are here to file a complaint for libel and cyber libel against the 18 alleged ex-Marines and also against attorney Levito Baligod. This is in relation to the lies in the joint affidavit that was supposedly executed by the 18 alleged ex-Marines and the repeated lies peddled by Atty. Bal-igod, in various interviews," De Lima told reporters in mixed English and Filipino in a chance interview at the NBI main office in Pasay City.

"It was very clear to me that these lies are being done to besmirch my reputation and smear my name. They have done this thing before," she also said, adding she will not allow what was done to her before to happen again.

"Not again. I will not allow them to besmirch my name, my integrity, and my dignity for whatever agenda they have. So, they must pay for that," De Lima said as she vehemently denied receiving any kickback or bribe money from anyone.

"Again, not true. I have not received any money, whether it is in a suitcase or in a paper bag. Those are all lies," she also said.

De Lima languished in detention for seven years on trumped-up drugrelated charges filed by the Duterte administration.