Atty. Levito 'Levy' Baligod has urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to inhibit itself and dismiss all libel and cyber-libel complaints filed against him and his clients—18 former bodyguards of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co. In an interview, Baligod argued that the DOJ should step aside because the Office of the Ombudsman is already investigating the same matter.
Conflict of jurisdiction feared
Baligod explained that since the Ombudsman and the DOJ are co-equal bodies, there is a risk of conflicting decisions if both agencies handle parallel cases. He pointed out that the Ombudsman's use of a joint affidavit submitted in February indicates that the allegations made by the former soldiers have merit. Therefore, he insisted that the libel complaints are inconsistent with the truth of the former bodyguards' statements.
The lawyer requested that the investigation be left entirely to the Office of the Ombudsman. As of now, the Ombudsman has not issued any new statement regarding Baligod's remarks.
Nine former soldiers interviewed
Baligod also disclosed that nine former soldiers have already been interviewed by the Ombudsman in connection with the probe. The group, according to their statements, revealed that certain named individuals and officials received envelopes containing money. After making these allegations public, they were met with multiple libel and cyber-libel complaints.
The lawyer reaffirmed their readiness to attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing led by Senator Erwin Tulfo, which is investigating anomalous government infrastructure projects.
